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
Walk in place, around your house, or on a treadmill during commercial breaks.
—
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Testing took place inside Georgia Tech’s Human Augmentation Core Facility using a programmable treadmill system called CAREN, which can shift direction and speed unpredictably.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
The ski treadmill offers some real benefits, especially for kids and beginners.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
So four days a week this season, after practices that routinely last at least 90 minutes, Escobar heads to a gym and runs six miles on a treadmill.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
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Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Testing took place inside Georgia Tech’s Human Augmentation Core Facility using a programmable treadmill system called CAREN, which can shift direction and speed unpredictably.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
The ski treadmill offers some real benefits, especially for kids and beginners.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
So four days a week this season, after practices that routinely last at least 90 minutes, Escobar heads to a gym and runs six miles on a treadmill.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for treadmill
Cite this Entry
“Treadmill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treadmill. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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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