threat

UK: /ˈθrɛt/ US: /θrɛt/ ,(thret)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

threat /θrɛt/   n. 

1. a warning that one (or someone) will harm another, if something is done or not done:
   [countable] Death threats were made against the witnesses.
   [uncountable] under threat of death.
2. a sign or warning of trouble or danger:
   [countable] the threat of war.
3. a person or thing that threatens (peace, etc.):
   [countable] That bloodthirsty dictator is a threat to world stability.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

threat (thret),  n. 

1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course;
   menace:
   He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
2. an indication or warning of probable trouble:
   The threat of a storm was in the air.
3. a person or thing that threatens.

v.t., v.i. 

4. [Archaic.] to threaten.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English threte, Old English thrēat pressure, oppression; cognate with Old Norse thraut hardship, bitter end; (verb, verbal) Middle English threten, Old English thrēatian to press, threaten

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

threat / θrɛt/ noun

1. a declaration of the intention to inflict harm, pain, or misery
2. an indication of imminent harm, danger, or pain
3. a person or thing that is regarded as dangerous or likely to inflict pain or misery

verb

1. an archaic word for threaten

Etymology: Old English; related to Old Norse thraut, Middle Low German drōt