treadmill

[tred-mil]

noun

1. an apparatus for producing rotary motion by the weight of people or animals, treading on a succession of moving steps or a belt that forms a kind of continuous path, as around the periphery of a pair of horizontal cylinders.

2. an exercise machine that allows the user to walk or run in place, usually on a continuous moving belt.

3. any monotonous, wearisome routine in which there is little or no satisfactory progress.

treadmill

/ ˈtrɛdˌmɪl /

noun

1. Also called: treadwheel. (formerly) an apparatus used to produce rotation, in which the weight of men or animals climbing steps on or around the periphery of a cylinder or wheel caused it to turn

2. a dreary round or routine

3. an exercise machine that consists of a continuous moving belt on which to walk or jog

Word History and Origins

Origin of treadmill¹

First recorded in 1815–25; tread + mill ¹

Example Sentences

“I didn’t keep a journal anymore; I wasn’t writing. … I was on this sort of rock ’n’ roll treadmill, which can be exciting, but is also exhausting.

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And they might increase the gradient and speed on the treadmill until you feel your heart beating faster and your breath quickening.

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“After a while, you raise your hand and say, ‘I don’t know how long I can be on this treadmill.’”

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At the gym, you can replicate this using either a motorized or non-motorized treadmill.

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There are four pools - one to swim in, a cold plunge, hot plunge and another with an underwater treadmill, the depth of which can be adjusted as required.

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