From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthreadthread1 /θred/ ●●○ noun 1 
for sewing [countable, uncountable]DCTIM a long thin string of cotton, silk etc used to sew or weave cloth I’m looking for a needle and thread. hand-sewn with gold and silver thread a spool of thread (=small object that thread is wound around)2 ideas [singular]CONNECTED WITH an idea, feeling, or feature that connects the different parts of an explanation, story etc a common thread running within his work His mind wandered, and he lost the thread of what she was saying (=was no longer able to understand it). a thread running through the filmthread of a thread of spirituality in her work3 → pick up the thread(s)4 internet [countable] a series of messages concerning the same subject, written by members of an Internet discussion group I’d like to refer to something that was posted in an earlier thread.5 line [countable] literaryCF a long thin line of something, such as light, smoke etcthread of The Colorado River was just a thread of silver, 4,000 feet below.6 
on a screw [countable]DT a continuous raised line of metal that winds around the curved surface of a screw7 → threads → hang by a thread at hang1(9)
for sewing [countable, uncountable]DCTIM a long thin string of cotton, silk etc used to sew or weave cloth I’m looking for a needle and thread. hand-sewn with gold and silver thread a spool of thread (=small object that thread is wound around)2 ideas [singular]CONNECTED WITH an idea, feeling, or feature that connects the different parts of an explanation, story etc a common thread running within his work His mind wandered, and he lost the thread of what she was saying (=was no longer able to understand it). a thread running through the filmthread of a thread of spirituality in her work3 → pick up the thread(s)4 internet [countable] a series of messages concerning the same subject, written by members of an Internet discussion group I’d like to refer to something that was posted in an earlier thread.5 line [countable] literaryCF a long thin line of something, such as light, smoke etcthread of The Colorado River was just a thread of silver, 4,000 feet below.6 on a screw [countable]DT a continuous raised line of metal that winds around the curved surface of a screw7 → threads → hang by a thread at hang1(9)Examples from the Corpus
thread• I tried to hold on to a thread of decency and courage.• But there will be a connective thread through it all.• As a result theoretical discourses are traversed by narrative structures which form a hidden thread running through the argument.• This fabric seems infinite, and its threads worm their way into the natural core that Claire and Jay have formed.• She was knitting a cloth with gold and silver thread.• A strong thread of spirituality runs through L'Engle's books.• Each can be the thread that connects children to an engagement with geography, history, and the like.• They were three, Clotho, the Spinner, who spun the thread of life.• All these threads, and more, entwine in the lines of longitude.thread running through• As a result theoretical discourses are traversed by narrative structures which form a hidden thread running through the argument.threadthread2 verb [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] 1 DCDLHto put a thread, string, rope etc through a hole Will you thread the needle for me?thread something through something Tom threaded the rope through the safety harness.2 TCPto put a film, tape etc correctly through parts of a camera, projector, or tape recorder3 FASTEN/DO UPto connect two or more objects by pushing something such as string through a hole in them Sue threaded the glass beads onto a piece of heavy string.4 → thread your way through/into etc something→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
thread• Some of the tunnels must have run for miles, winding in and out of the channels of water that threaded everywhere.• Huong was already threading his machine.• Thread the beads on a string and make a necklace.• He threaded the pen back through her fingers, gently.• They missed his knack of threading the play together and didn't produce their usual rhythm.• Rather, the guitar and drum set seem like obbligato instruments, threading their way through the varied and highly imaginative texture.• Steel threaded through her muscles, and her senses became as sharp as a cat's.• A tip for threading up Silver Reed or Knitmaster machines.thread ... needle• The hole is big so that children can thread the needle.Origin thread1 Old English thræd 