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
And some newer conversion kits act something like a treadmill mounted to your bike, using rollers to help propel your wheel forward.
—
Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Wired News, 20 June 2025
Applicants are in the early days of self-reflection; life on a treadmill is unexamined.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
One of our Awards testers has plenty of miles under their belt and loved their pair for treadmill runs, road runs, and even sprints.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 9 June 2025
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Peloton on Tuesday launched its own marketplace for reselling used equipment and gear as the company looks to capitalize on the many bikes and treadmills collecting dust in people’s homes.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Wired News, 20 June 2025
Applicants are in the early days of self-reflection; life on a treadmill is unexamined.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
One of our Awards testers has plenty of miles under their belt and loved their pair for treadmill runs, road runs, and even sprints.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 9 June 2025
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Peloton on Tuesday launched its own marketplace for reselling used equipment and gear as the company looks to capitalize on the many bikes and treadmills collecting dust in people’s homes.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 3 June 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 1 Jul. 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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