treadmill

noun

tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the ever-evolving treadmill of cybersecurity, organizations must continuously adapt to emerging threats and vulnerabilities coupled with new technologies, frameworks and tech paradigms. Eoin Keary, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Aday Mara had completed a series of pull-ups and curls, not to mention a few delicate minutes walking backward on a high-performance treadmill, when the strain of his post-practice training started to show. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025 Don’t wait any longer to add a treadmill to your home: Grab the Gearstone Walking Pad for $158 at Walmart. Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 The group on the treadmill did almost twice as well as the others. Janice Kaplan, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for treadmill 

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Time Traveler
The first known use of treadmill was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near treadmill

Cite this Entry

“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

treadmill

noun
tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
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 How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on treadmill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!