threat-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: a cause or agent of harm, danger

Commentary: THREAT[+cause][+effective][+harm] [+relation][+role][+agent][+harm]
NOTE: implies X BE threat, X is the perceived cause of harm

Examples:
They view outsourcing as a threat to their jobs.
Hurricanes are a threat to many coastal communities.
Mary was a threat to Bob's masculinity when she beat him at chess.
The Tigers were a real threat this year in the playoffs. (extended usage)

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 4

Sense Number 2: a state of exposure to harm

Commentary: THREAT[+state][+exposure][+harm]
NOTE: refers to X being in a state of exposure to harm, including probability of it
NOTE: often occurs in prepositional phrases 'under/with' the/a threat

Examples:
She lived with the threat of a recurrence of her cancer.
Thousands of jobs came under threat when the company went bankrupt.
The country has lived for decades under the threat of civil war.
Is there any threat that the virus could become airborne?
There is some threat of rain this afternoon. (the afternoon is in a state of risk)
The threat of another terrorist attack did not stop people from taking the subway.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: a declaration of intention to harm

Commentary: THREAT[+action][+declaration][+intention][+inflict][+harm]
NOTE: implies an intentional declaration of an actor/agent to inflict harm

Examples:
Members of his family have received death threats.
The plaintiff insisted his remark to the woman did not constitute a threat.
Their threats of a walk-out did not materialize.

Mappings: