treat

verb

Save Word

\ ˈtrēt

treated; treating; treats

Definition of treat

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to deal with in speech or writing : expound

b : to present or represent artistically

c : to deal with : handle food is plentiful and treated with imagination— Cecil Beaton

2a : to bear oneself toward : use treat a horse cruelly

b : to regard and deal with in a specified manner —usually used with as treat the matter as confidential

3a : to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment they treated us to lunch

b : to provide with enjoyment or gratification

4 : to care for or deal with medically or surgically treat a disease

5 : to act upon with some agent especially to improve or alter treat a metal with acid

intransitive verb

1 : to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) especially as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship

2 : to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate

3 : to deal with a matter especially in writing : discourse —usually used with of a book treating of conservation

treat

noun

Definition of treat (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment dinner will be my treat

b : an entertainment given without expense to those invited

2 : an especially unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement seeing her again was a treat

Other Words from treat Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing treat Learn More About treat

Examples of treat in a Sentence

Verb The author treats this issue in the next chapter. This situation must be treated with great care. I try to treat everyone equally. She treats the horse cruelly. They treated me like a member of their family. I was treated like a queen. My parents still treat me like a child. Try to treat everyone as an equal. Young people should always treat their elders with respect. Let's go out to dinner. I'll treat. Noun We took the kids to the water park as a special treat. cookies and other tasty treats She rewarded the dog with a treat. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb If there is any confusion about your diagnosis and how your doctor plans to treat it, a second opinion will be in order. — Wired, 9 Aug. 2022 In addition to a spacious dining room and living area, guests can also treat themselves to the private in-room bourbon bar, which is stocked with top-shelf whiskeys to fix an Old Fashioned in the privacy of your suite. — Dana Givens, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2022 Here are a few things to know about fibromyalgia and how to treat it. — Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 4 Aug. 2022 Now is the perfect time to plan that last-minute getaway (hey, treat yourself!). — Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 3 Aug. 2022 Larry was able to cash nearly $5 million in life insurance, and used that money to treat himself and Lori to a lavish lifestyle. — Elisabeth Garber-paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2022 Use your credit card to buy your gas, buy your food, treat yourself a little bit. — Essence, 1 Aug. 2022 Crump said that in the past, an ambulance arrived to treat her. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 July 2022 As with any newly emerging pathogen, the CDC has set out to educate health care providers how to detect the disease, order tests for it and treat it. — Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, 28 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun For those who enjoy a sweet treat every now and then, don't miss the Slushie Maker Cup, which just can turn any drink into a slushie and, at $17, is 41 percent off. — Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 The sweetness in the mixture, sharpened by a spoonful of sugar, almost turns it into a treat. — Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 7 Aug. 2022 These limited edition sponges make cleaning a total treat. — Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2022 For a slightly different treat, cook biscuit dough on a stick and dip it in butter and cinnamon sugar. — Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 5 Aug. 2022 Saying anything is probably better than saying nothing at present, but speaking from the heart could be a special treat. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 Step aside froyo, there’s a new tasty treat in town. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2022 In the clip, police officers break the front passenger side window, unlock the car and retrieve the dog from the backseat, giving him a treat and some water. — Glenn Garner, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 Or go for Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, a decadent treat that mixes white-chocolate chips and chocolate truffles into chocolate ice cream. — Charles Passy, WSJ, 28 July 2022 See More

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

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best dog products of the year.

Learn More About treat

Dictionary Entries Near treat

treasury warrant

treat

treatable

Statistics for treat

Last Updated

11 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treat. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for treat

treat

verb

\ ˈtrēt

treated; treating

Kids Definition of treat

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to handle, deal with, use, or act toward in a usually stated way Treat this as secret. … "Don't you think that is a cruel way to treat Wanda?" …— Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses

2 : to pay for the food or entertainment of I'll treat you to dinner.