THREAD

• thread
• 1

  for sewing

   [uncountable and countable] 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] 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 film
• thread of
• a thread of spirituality in her work
• 3

   pick up the thread(s)

  to begin something again after a long period, especially a relationship or way of life:
• They had known each other as children, and were picking up the threads of their friendship.
• 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] literary a long thin line of something, such as light, smoke etc
• thread of
• The Colorado River was just a thread of silver, 4000 feet below.
• 6

  on a screw

   [countable] a continuous raised line of metal that winds around the curved surface of a screw
• 7

   threads

   [plural] American English old-fashioned clothes

• ➔ hang by a thread

   at hang1 (9)

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.