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Definition of threat noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

threat

noun
 OPAL W
 
/θret/
 
/θret/
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  1.  
     [countable, uncountable] a statement in which you tell somebody that you will punish or harm them, especially if they do not do what you want
    • threat against somebody/something to make threats against somebody
    • threat to do something She is prepared to carry out her threat to resign.
    • She received death threats on social media.
    • a phony bomb threat
    • threat of something crimes involving violence or the threat of violence
    Extra Examples
    • It's unwise to make threats that you cannot carry out.
    • The kids took no notice of the teacher's idle threats.
    • The company's pay offer was accompanied by thinly veiled threats if it was rejected.
    • The government refused to give in to the hijackers' threats.
    • Teachers have lifted their threat of strike action.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • dire
    • terrible
    • empty
    • …
    verb + threat
    • issue
    • make
    • utter
    • …
    preposition
    • threat against
    See full entry
  2.  
     [uncountable, countable, usually singular] the possibility of trouble, danger or disaster
    • under threat (from somebody/something) These ancient woodlands are under threat from new road developments.
    • Many wild plants are under threat of extinction.
    • threat of something There is a real threat of war.
    • the threat of terrorism/violence/attack
    • the imminent/immediate/real/potential threat of something
    • With little access to clean drinking water and sanitation, the inhabitants face a constant threat of disease.
    • The forecast is for rain with the threat of thunderstorms.
    • At the end of the Cold War, the nuclear threat receded.
    • What can we do to counter this threat?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dangerous
    • …
    verb + threat
    • be
    • constitute
    • pose
    • …
    threat + noun
    • assessment
    • level
    preposition
    • under threat
    • threat from
    • threat of
    • …
    See full entry
  3.  
     [countable, usually singular] a person or thing that is likely to cause trouble, danger, etc.
    • threat to somebody/something Drugs pose a major threat to our society.
    • We're facing a very strong terrorist threat.
    • He is unlikely to be a threat to the Spanish player in the final.
    • The missiles present a clear threat to the security of the nation.
    • The magazine asked about the greatest threats to world peace.
    • a threat to health/life/safety
    • threat from something the threat from overfishing
    • Viruses and other internet security threats can look like valid files or photos.
    • Food insecurity represents a serious threat for humanity.
    Extra Examples
    • the environmental threat posed by oil spillages
    • Translators do not yet perceive computers as a threat to their livelihood.
    • The opposition presents no immediate threat to the government.
    • The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dangerous
    • …
    verb + threat
    • be
    • constitute
    • pose
    • …
    threat + noun
    • assessment
    • level
    preposition
    • under threat
    • threat from
    • threat of
    • …
    See full entry
    4. Word OriginOld English thrēat ‘oppression’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verdrieten ‘grieve’, German verdriessen ‘irritate’.
See threat in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee threat in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: threat

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trait
noun
 
 
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