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
To do this on a treadmill, Ranellone suggests setting the deck to 3% to 6%, then walking at about three to three and a half miles per hour for 30 minutes.
—
Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 21 Apr. 2025
Rip currents can sweep a swimmer along as if they are caught on a treadmill.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
One of the things new to me is singing while walking on a treadmill.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
That video was one continuous shot of the band performing a treadmill dance routine choreographed by Kulash’s sister Trish Sie, who also directed Pitch Perfect 3.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 21 Apr. 2025
Rip currents can sweep a swimmer along as if they are caught on a treadmill.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
One of the things new to me is singing while walking on a treadmill.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
That video was one continuous shot of the band performing a treadmill dance routine choreographed by Kulash’s sister Trish Sie, who also directed Pitch Perfect 3.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
Cite this Entry
“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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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