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

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• rut

Example Sentences

the treadmill of exhausting family schedules

the treadmill of the morning commute to work

Recent Examples on the Web

Turner has been doing cardio work walking on a treadmill, but that could change Sunday. —Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Mar. 2023

In one study from New Zealand, competitive male runners ran 5 km on a treadmill at their fastest speed (for a total of about 15 minutes) and then sat in a sauna for about half an hour. —Good Housekeeping, 3 Mar. 2023

In addition to weight training, Victoria also likes Pilates and running on a treadmill. —Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 1 Mar. 2023

The caloric cost of walking or jogging on a treadmill is slightly less than outside. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2023

And walking outside or on a treadmill is one of the simplest ways to bring exercise in consistently, Santas said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 21 Feb. 2023

Walking outdoors uses additional muscles compared to walking on a treadmill. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2023

Two years ago, the company, based in Waltham, Mass., first demonstrated PETMAN's legs by putting them to walk on a treadmill. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2023

The hedonic treadmill, also called human adaptation, is the natural tendency for humans to return to a baseline level of happiness regardless of our circumstances. —Paco De Leon, refinery29.com, 7 Dec. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

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