noun
Uncommon
treadmill
TREHD-mihl
Treadmill (noun) means an exercise machine with a moving belt for walking or running in place. Example: “He ran five miles on the treadmill at the gym.”
noun
1
An exercise machine with a moving belt for walking or running in place.
"He ran five miles on the treadmill at the gym."
2
A situation where continuous effort is needed just to stay in the same position, without real progress.
"She felt trapped on the treadmill of paying off one debt with another."
How to use treadmill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA treadmill is a running machine at the gym, or, figuratively, any endless cycle of effort that doesn't get you anywhere new.
Common pairings
on the treadmill
the corporate treadmill
a treadmill of debt
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Word forms
- Plural
- treadmills
- Third person singular
- treadmills
- Past tense
- treadmilled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He ran five miles on the _____ at the gym.
Etymology
From "tread" + "mill" — originally a real mill powered by people or animals walking on a wheel.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “treadmill” mean?
The word “treadmill” means an exercise machine with a moving belt for walking or running in place. In plain terms, a treadmill is a running machine at the gym, or, figuratively, any endless cycle of effort that doesn't get you anywhere new.
How do you pronounce “treadmill”?
“Treadmill” is pronounced TREHD-mihl (/ˈtɹɛd.mɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “treadmill” in a sentence?
Here is “treadmill” used in a sentence: “He ran five miles on the treadmill at the gym.”
What part of speech is “treadmill”?
“Treadmill” is a noun.
Is “treadmill” a common word?
“Treadmill” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “treadmill” have?
“Treadmill” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an exercise machine with a moving belt for walking or running in place.
