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

Synonyms of treadmill

• routine
• grind

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 space station has a treadmill and a bike and a weight system. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 Sep. 2026

Instead of skipping your walk, move it indoors when needed by walking in the mall or using a treadmill. — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2026

Part of Hader’s pregame routine includes time on an arm treadmill, which allows a person to do arm exercises while walking. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Mice on semaglutide explored more, balanced longer on a rotating rod, ran farther on a treadmill and solved a maze faster—gains that held even after the researchers accounted for the animals just being leaner than their peers. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Rhymes for treadmill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids 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