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 calledtreadwheel (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

"The Engine Room" opened in 2023 and included four state-of-the-art treadmills.

From BBC

But he said treadmills are “really boring” so he prefers to stay healthy by playing golf.

From BBC

Terrified that there could be more scorpions inside, the couple put the treadmill out in the garden as they "didn't know what else was going to be there".

From BBC

Crew use two treadmills that they must strap into to stop themselves floating away, and a cycle ergometer for endurance training.

From BBC

Dogs had been chained to treadmills, kept in dirty conditions and were caged in isolation, Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Monday.

From BBC