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

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

Or, conversely, the Garmin HRM 600 can pair with your watch to provide even better heart rate data, and distance data for indoor activities like the treadmill. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Walking on a treadmill and walking outside offer the same health benefits, according to Durand, the UM psychologist who is also a NAMI Miami-Dade board member. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025

Moving forward is starting to feel like a treadmill. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 May 2025

In-House Delivery: Reducing Risks, Enhancing Experience Third-party carriers, while convenient, introduce a layer of risk, especially when transporting sensitive equipment like treadmills. —Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

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