treadmill

noun

tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
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

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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treadmill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Time Traveler
The first known use of treadmill was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near treadmill

Cite this Entry

“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

treadmill

noun
tread·​mill ˈtred-ˌmil How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
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 How to pronounce treadmill (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on treadmill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY