tread

1 of 2

verb

ˈtred 

trod ˈträd  also treaded; trodden ˈträ-dᵊn  or trod; treading

transitive verb

1

a

: to step or walk on or over

b

: to walk or proceed along : follow

treading a fine line between tradition and innovation

2

a

: to form by treading : beat

tread a path

b

: to execute by stepping or dancing

tread a measure

3

a

: to beat or press with the feet : trample

b

: to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush

4

: to copulate with

—used of a male bird

intransitive verb

1

: to move or proceed on or as if on foot

must tread lightly

2

a

: to set foot

has gone where others fear to tread

b

: to put one's foot : step

carelessly treading on the flowers

3

: copulate

treader noun

tread

2 of 2

noun

1

a(1)

: the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail

(2)

: the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire

b

: the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground

also : the pattern on the bottom of a sole

2

a

: the upper horizontal part of a step

b

: the width of such a tread

3

a

: manner of stepping

b

: the sound of treading

c(1)

: the action of treading

(2)

: an act or instance of treading : step

4

: a mark (something, such as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading

5

: the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle

treadless

ˈtred-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

tread on one's toes

: to give offense (as by encroaching on one's rights or feelings)

tread water

: to keep the body nearly upright in the water and the head above water by a treading motion of the feet usually aided by the hands

Synonyms

Verb

• walk

Examples of tread in a Sentence

Verb

They slowly trod back to the camp.

Don't tread on the grass.

treading the halls of the Senate

Countless footsteps have trodden a path to their door.

Noun

The treads of the tires were badly worn.

running shoes with good treads

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For now, economic heavyweights California and New York are treading water but could easily tip the scales. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

The album treads through womanhood, partnership, aging and dying, exposing the murky in the mundane. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Noun

The tires, which are being recalled by Continental, were produced with a nonconforming tread base rubber compound, according to the recall report. —James Powel, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025

Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by calling out or waving your arms. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English treden, from Old English tredan; akin to Old High German tretan to tread

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing tread

• fools rush in (where angels fear to tread)
• go where others fear to tread
• re-tread
• tread lightly
• tread on (someone's) toes
• tread on the toes of (someone)
• tread the boards

Rhymes for tread

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

tread

1 of 2 verb

ˈtred 

trod ˈträd  ; trodden ˈträd-ᵊn  or trod; treading

1

a

: to step or walk on or over

b

: to walk along : follow

2

: to beat or press with the feet : trample

3

a

: to form by treading : beat

tread a path

b

: to perform by stepping or dancing

tread a measure

treader noun

tread

2 of 2 noun

1

: a mark made by or as if by treading

2

: the action, manner, or sound of treading or stepping

3

a

: the part of a sole that touches the ground

b

: the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail

especially : the ridges or grooves on the surface of a tire

4

: the horizontal part of a step