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
Prevost’s workouts, described as suitable for a man in his 50s, would last up to an hour and focus especially on the treadmill and exercise bike, trainer Valerio Masella told The Associated Press last year.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
In a promotional demonstration, the founder and institute head Wang Hongtao raced the red, metallic android on treadmills.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The 10-time marathoner has only run once on the treadmill over the past eight weeks.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
An engineer named William Cubitt invented the earlier iteration of the treadmill, called a treadwheel.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
In a promotional demonstration, the founder and institute head Wang Hongtao raced the red, metallic android on treadmills.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The 10-time marathoner has only run once on the treadmill over the past eight weeks.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
An engineer named William Cubitt invented the earlier iteration of the treadmill, called a treadwheel.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
Cite this Entry
“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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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