treadmill

American  

[tred-mil] / ˈtrɛdˌmɪl /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of treadmill

First recorded in 1815–25; tread + mill ¹

Example Sentences

Standing desks are passé if not accompanied by an underdesk treadmill.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cardio is different forms of interval running four days a week, and then walking on the treadmill on a steep incline two days a week.

From The Wall Street Journal

"To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that's not for me."

From BBC

“To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that’s not for me.”

From The Wall Street Journal

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving says it has been getting more inquiries in the past two years for returning heavy purchases such as treadmills and other fitness equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal