You are losing a lot of expression if you choose only the number one definition. 1. a material object without life or consciousness; an inanimate object. 2. some entity, object, or creature that is not or cannot be specifically designated or precisely described: The stick had a brass thing on it. 3. anything that is or may become an object of thought: things of the spirit. 4. things, matters; affairs: Things are going well now. 5. a fact, circumstance, or state of affairs: It is a curious thing. 6. an action, deed, event, or performance: to do great things; His death was a horrible thing. 7. a particular, respect, or detail: perfect in all things. 8. aim; objective: The thing is to reach this line with the ball. 9. an article of clothing: I don't have a thing to wear. 10. things, a. implements, utensils, or other articles for service: I'll wash the breakfast things. b. personal possessions or belongings: Pack your things and go! 11. a task; chore: I've got a lot of things to do today. 12. a living being or creature: His baby's a cute little thing. 13. a thought or statement: I have just one thing to say to you. 14. Informal. a peculiar attitude or feeling, either positive or negative, toward something; mental quirk: She has a thing about cats. 15. something signified or represented, as distinguished from a word, symbol, or idea representing it. 16. Law. anything that may be the subject of a property right. 17. new thing, Jazz. free jazz. 18. the thing, a. something that is correct or fashionable: That café is the thing now. b. that which is expedient or necessary: The thing to do is to tell them the truth. —Idioms19. do or find one's own thing, Informal. to pursue a lifestyle that expresses one's self. Also, do or find one's thing. 20. make a good thing of, Informal. to turn (a situation, experience, etc.) to one's own profit; benefit by: She made a good thing of her spare-time hobbies. 21. not to get a thing out of, a. to be unable to obtain information or news from: The police couldn't get a thing out of him. b. to fail to appreciate, understand, or derive aesthetic pleasure from: My wife likes opera, but I don't get a thing out of it. 22. see or hear things, Informal. to have hallucinations.

"Things" can mean any noun.