tread

[ tred ]

verb (used without object)

, trod, trod·den or trod, tread·ing.

1. to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk.
2. to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to tread on a person's foot.

3. (of a male bird) to copulate.

verb (used with object)

, trod, trod·den or trod, tread·ing.

1. to step or walk on, about, in, or along.
2. to trample or crush underfoot.
3. to form by the action of walking or trampling:

   to tread a path.

4. to treat with disdainful harshness or cruelty; crush; oppress.
5. to perform by walking or dancing:

   to tread a measure.

6. (of a male bird) to copulate with (a female bird).

noun

1. the action of treading, stepping, or walking.
2. the sound of footsteps.
3. manner of treading or walking.
4. a single step as in walking.
5. any of various things or parts on which a person or thing treads, stands, or moves.
6. the part of the under surface of the foot or of a shoe that touches the ground.
7. the horizontal upper surface of a step in a stair, on which the foot is placed.
8. the part of a wheel, tire, or runner that bears on the road, rail, etc.
9. the pattern raised on or cut into the face of a rubber tire.
10. Also caterpillar tread. a metal tread on which a Caterpillar-style vehicle moves.
11. Railroads. that part of a rail in contact with the treads of wheels.

tread

/ trɛd /

verb

1. to walk or trample in, on, over, or across (something)
2. whenintr, foll by on to crush or squash by or as if by treading

   to tread on a spider

   to tread grapes

3. intrsometimes foll byon to subdue or repress, as by doing injury (to)

   to tread on one's inferiors

4. tr to do by walking or dancing

   to tread a measure

5. tr (of a male bird) to copulate with (a female bird)
6. tread lightly
   to proceed with delicacy or tact
7. tread on someone's toes
   to offend or insult someone, esp by infringing on his sphere of action, etc
8. tread water
   to stay afloat in an upright position by moving the legs in a walking motion

noun

1. a manner or style of walking, dancing, etc

   a light tread

2. the act of treading
3. the top surface of a step in a staircase
4. the outer part of a tyre or wheel that makes contact with the road, esp the grooved surface of a pneumatic tyre
5. the part of a rail that wheels touch
6. the part of a shoe that is generally in contact with the ground
7. vet science an injury to a horse's foot caused by the opposite foot, or the foot of another horse
8. a rare word for footprint

Derived Forms

• ˈtreader, noun

Other Words From

• tread·er noun
• o·ver·tread noun
• sub·tread noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tread¹

before 900; (v.) Middle English treden, Old English tredan; cognate with Old Frisian treda, Old Saxon tredan, Dutch treden, German treten; akin to Old Norse trotha, Gothic trudan; (noun) Middle English tred footprint, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tread¹

Old English tredan ; related to Old Norse trotha , Old High German tretan , Swedish träda

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. tread on someone's toes / corns, to offend or irritate someone.
2. tread the boards, to act on the stage, especially professionally:

   He recalled the days when he had trod the boards.

3. tread water,
   1. Swimming. to maintain the body erect in the water with the head above the surface usually by a pumping up-and-down movement of the legs and sometimes the arms.
   2. Slang. to make efforts that maintain but do not further one's status, progress, or performance:

      He's just treading water here until he can find another job.

4. tread lightly / carefully / softly. tread lightly.

More idioms and phrases containing tread

• fools rush in where angels fear to tread
• step (tread) on one's toes

Example Sentences

Speaking at the summit, Sir Keir said the new UK target would be "difficult" but "achievable", and he wanted government to "tread lightly on people's lives".

From BBC

The American political and media class, Jennings argued, had ignored the fundamentals of inflation and “people feeling like they were barely able to tread water.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nuno has refused to tread softly with Wood, especially after international duty, saying the striker is a "competitor" and will always be ready.

From BBC

This, Verstappen said, was “very sketchy” on tyres running out of tread.

From BBC

While waiting for my beer, I chatted with the burly, bald man next to me: Donny, with a lengthy, wispy gray beard, and a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” T-shirt.

From Slate