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

Synonyms

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• rut

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

Tyson paused to mop his head with his shirt, briefly exposing a tattoo on his chest, of his daughter Exodus, who died at the age of four in a freak accident involving a treadmill. —Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024

Uphill Treadmill: To burn additional calories, try walking on the treadmill consistently to build stamina and core strength. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024

Remember to engage in safe treadmill running, run with proper form, and try different treadmill workouts when possible. —Jennifer Cohen, Health, 16 Mar. 2024

On Thursday, the singer, 31, shared a video of himself walking a treadmill alongside brothers Joe, 34, and Kevin, 36, ahead of their show in the Philippines. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024

Another reason is that proper rowing form is not as innate as, say, walking on a treadmill. —Stephanie Kanowitz, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024

Planet Fitness and other gyms have scaled back treadmills and elliptical machines in gyms to create more room for weight training and stretching areas. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024

While on a treadmill, runners wore custom sports bras that could be adjusted to different tightness levels. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024

His innovative new floor works like a treadmill, only one that works with you rather than against you — twisting, turning and moving in the direction of your body — without traditional confines. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Kids 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