View synonyms for

treadmill

[tred-mil]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an apparatus for producing rotary motion by the weight of people or animals, treading on a succession of moving steps or a belt that forms a kind of continuous path, as around the periphery of a pair of horizontal cylinders.
an exercise machine that allows the user to walk or run in place, usually on a continuous moving belt.
any monotonous, wearisome routine in which there is little or no satisfactory progress.

treadmill

/ ˈ�ٰ�ɛ��ˌ��ɪ�� /

noun

Also called: treadwheel.��(formerly) an apparatus used to produce rotation, in which the weight of men or animals climbing steps on or around the periphery of a cylinder or wheel caused it to turn
a dreary round or routine
an exercise machine that consists of a continuous moving belt on which to walk or jog

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Word History and Origins

Origin of treadmill¹

First recorded in 1815–25; tread + mill ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Well into his 80s, Murdock lifted weights several times a week, walked on a treadmill daily and drank smoothies made of 20 different kinds of fruit and vegetables including pulverized banana peels.

From

"It was like trying to swim on a treadmill," Euan recalls.

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“Had we taken the path of being too cool for treadmills and homemade videos, I can look back and say —”

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The answer is usually "yes" – the 1993 classic has been made to work on microwaves, treadmills and even medical equipment.

From

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, it was sparsely populated, with just a few dozen members working out on brand-new, still-gleaming treadmills, bikes and elliptical machines.

From

tread lightly tread the boards

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