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
Just around the corner, the hotel’s compact fitness centre lures even the least fitness-enthusiastic guests, thanks to knockout treadmill views extending to the bay.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
The reasoning has nothing to do with dumbbells or treadmills, though.
—Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
But by late January 2024, Fears ditched the crutches and continued with his incremental progress – work in the pool, pedaling an exercise bike and running on an antigravity treadmill.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The final stage was supposed to be maximum effort, which meant beginning at an all-out sprint and gradually slowing the treadmill down just enough to avoid being thrown off the back.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
The reasoning has nothing to do with dumbbells or treadmills, though.
—Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
But by late January 2024, Fears ditched the crutches and continued with his incremental progress – work in the pool, pedaling an exercise bike and running on an antigravity treadmill.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The final stage was supposed to be maximum effort, which meant beginning at an all-out sprint and gradually slowing the treadmill down just enough to avoid being thrown off the back.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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