treats; treated; treating
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to deal with or think about (something) especially in a particular way
The author treats this issue in the next chapter.
You should treat [=consider, regard] this information as top secret.
He treats [=regards] everything I say as a joke.
This situation must be treated with great care.
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to think of and act toward (someone or something) in a specified way
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/criminal.
My parents still treat me like a child.
Try to treat everyone as an equal.
Young people should always treat their elders with respect.
He treated me like dirt. [=he was very rude, disrespectful, or unkind to me]
3
a
: to pay for someone's food, drink, or entertainment
Let's go out to dinner. I'll treat.
—usually + toThey treated us to lunch.
b
: to provide (someone) with something pleasant or amusing
—+ to
At the end of the concert, the band treated their fans to a new song.
—often used as (be) treatedThe people on the tour were treated to a rare glimpse of the bird. [=the people on the tour had the rare and enjoyable experience of seeing the bird]
c
: to buy or get something special and enjoyable for (yourself)
—+ to
He treated himself to some ice cream.
She treated herself to a massage.
4
a
: to give medical care to (a person or animal)
Doctors immediately treated the patient.
She was treated for dehydration.
b
: to deal with (a disease, infection, etc.) in order to make someone feel better or become healthy again
She is taking medication to treat the condition.
The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
5
: to put a chemical or other substance on or in (something) in order to protect it, preserve it, clean it, etc.
—often + with
He treated the wood with a waterproof sealant.
—often used as (be) treatedThe crops were treated with a pesticide.
Has the water been treated?
plural treats
1
: an occurrence in which you pay for someone's food, drink, or entertainment
Let's go out to dinner. It'll be my treat. [=I will pay for our dinners]
2
: something pleasant or amusing that is unusual or unexpected
Seeing her again was a real treat. = It was a real treat to see her again.
We took the kids to the water park as a special treat.
3
US
: something that tastes good and that is not eaten often
freshly baked treats [=goodies]
cookies and other tasty treats
She rewarded the dog with a treat.
Cite this Entry
“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/treat. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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