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
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
The treadmill is often seen as more hardcore than the elliptical.
—
Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 4 Mar. 2025
People were randomized to HIIT consisting of five periods of four minutes of on a treadmill at 90–95 % of maximum heart rate with with three minutes of walking at 50–55% of the maximum heart rate, three times per week for 12 weeks.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Other founders have seen the perils of the old start-up playbook, which kept companies on a fund-raising treadmill where hiring more people created more costs that went beyond just their salaries.
—Erin Griffith, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Treats, praise, or toys can help encourage voluntary participation rather than forcing the cat onto the treadmill.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 4 Mar. 2025
People were randomized to HIIT consisting of five periods of four minutes of on a treadmill at 90–95 % of maximum heart rate with with three minutes of walking at 50–55% of the maximum heart rate, three times per week for 12 weeks.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Other founders have seen the perils of the old start-up playbook, which kept companies on a fund-raising treadmill where hiring more people created more costs that went beyond just their salaries.
—Erin Griffith, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Treats, praise, or toys can help encourage voluntary participation rather than forcing the cat onto the treadmill.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
Cite this Entry
“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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