/ θret; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , U ] threat (to do sth) a statement in which you tell sb that you will punish or harm them, especially if they do not do what you want :
to make threats against sb
She is prepared to carry out her threat to resign.
He received death threats from right-wing groups.
crimes involving violence or the threat of violence
2.
[ U , C , usually sing. ] the possibility of trouble, danger or disaster :
These ancient woodlands are under threat from new road developments.
There is a real threat of war.
3.
[ C , usually sing. ] threat (to sth) a person or thing that is likely to cause trouble, danger, etc. :
He is unlikely to be a threat to the Spanish player in the final.
Drugs pose a major threat to our society.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English thrēat oppression , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verdrieten grieve, German verdriessen irritate.