treadmill

noun

tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil 

1

a

: a device having an endless belt on which an individual walks or runs in place for exercise or physiological testing

b

: a mill worked by an animal treading an endless belt

c

: a mill worked by persons treading on steps on the periphery of a wide wheel having a horizontal axis and used formerly in prison punishment

2

: a wearisome or monotonous routine resembling continued activity on a treadmill

the office treadmill

Synonyms

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• rut

Examples of treadmill in a Sentence

the treadmill of exhausting family schedules

the treadmill of the morning commute to work

Recent Examples on the Web

There are pet treadmills and supplements and luxury spas. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024

If running on the treadmill isn’t your idea of how to get over someone, at least consider gentle movement activities like yoga or meditation apps. —Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024

Shoppers will find substantial discounts on a wide range of gym gear, from dumbbells and resistance bands to treadmills and more. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024

The study shows data from 24 subjects who completed a 15-minute incremental swim test in a flume (the swimming equivalent of a treadmill, where the speed of the water can be adjusted). —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Kids Definition

treadmill

noun

tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil 

1

a

: a device moved by persons treading on steps set around the rim of a wide wheel or by animals walking on an endless belt

b

: a device having an endless belt on which an individual walks or runs in place for exercise or medical testing

2

: a tiring or monotonous routine

Medical Definition

treadmill

noun

tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil 

: a device having an endless belt on which an individual walks or runs in place that is used for exercise and in tests of physiological functions see stress test