tread Hear it!

tread Definition

tread (tred)

transitive verb trod, tread′ed, trod′·den, trod, tread′ed, tread′·ing

  1. to walk on, in, along, across, over, etc.
  2. to do or follow by walking, dancing, etc. treading the measures briskly
  3. to press or beat with the feet so as to crush or injure; trample
  4. to oppress or subdue, as if by stepping on
  5. to copulate with (the female): said of a bird

Etymology: ME treden < OE tredan, akin to Ger treten < IE *dreu- < base *drā, to run, step > trap

intransitive verb

  1. to move on foot; step; walk
  2. to set one's foot (on, across, etc.); make a step; step
  3. to trample (on or upon)
  4. to copulate: said of birds

noun

  1. the act, manner, or sound of treading
  2. something on which a person or thing treads or moves, as the part of a shoe sole, wheel, etc. that touches the ground, the endless belt over cogged wheels of a tractor or tank, the part of a rail on which a car wheel runs, or the horizontal surface of a step in a stairway
    1. the thick outer layer of an automotive tire, containing grooves for added traction
    2. the thickness of this layer, as measured by the depth of the grooves
    3. the pattern of the grooves
  4. track ()
  5. Rare a footprint

tread Idioms

tread the boards

to act in plays on the stage

tread water

  1. Swimming to keep the head above water and the body upright without propelling oneself forward, by moving the legs and arms back and forth
  2. to make no progress

tread Synonyms

tread

n.

step, gait, walk, march, footstep; see also tramp 2.

tread Synonyms

tread

v.

walk, step, step on; see tramp 1, trample.

tread Usage Examples

Object

  • tightrope: He is a constant theatrical innovator and a writer whose trademark is increasingly the ability to tread a delicate tightrope between humor and despair.
  • winepress: He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
  • path: There are several well trodden steep paths up to the top.
  • staircase: Of particular note is the striking vaulted living room with open tread spiral staircase.
  • depth: The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm are yours within the legal limits?
  • board: Ever thought about treading the boards, playing in a band or being a stage hand?

Preposition: on

  • eggshell: You wouldn't have to tread on eggshells with him because you wouldn't know when he'd fly off the handle.
  • toe: We are too eager to tread on the toes of the prosperous peasant.

Modifies a noun

  • depth: Less than 1mm of tread depth accross 3/4 of the breadth of the tire may result in points on your license.
  • staircase: The house is not suitable for very young children because of the open tread staircases and the many different levels of the house.
  • pattern: It's wheels have tires with a tread pattern special to be used on the track.

Modifying Another Word

  • warily: For the moment we need to tread warily in seeking to provide complete or final answers.
  • underfoot: In chapter 10 he says, " You're treading underfoot the blood of Christ by not believing what you know is true.
  • softly: I tread softly by my uncle, my hand in his.
  • lightly: I am always trying to find new ways to ' tread more lightly ' on our planet.
  • cautiously: On NATO enlargement, too, Bush will have every reason to tread cautiously.

Followed by an intransitive particle

upon: His clothes were rent in a dozen places, he was covered in dust, one hand had been trodden upon.

Preposition: in

footstep: He went back to America some years later, this time to Mississippi where he trod in the footsteps of his Delta blues heroes.

Preposition: under

foot: I think we've all also seen examples of grass which doesn't die as soon as it is trodden under human foot.

Preposition: with

caution: So we suggest the consumer better watch out and tread with caution.

Browse dictionary entries near tread

  1. ‹ treacle
  2. ‹ treachery
  3. ‹ treacherously
  4. ‹ treacherous
  5. ‹ tray
  6. ‹ trawler
  7. ‹ trawl
  8. ‹ travois
  9. ‹ travesty
  10. ‹ travertine
  1. treadle ›
  2. treadmill ›
  3. treas ›
  4. treason ›
  5. treasonable ›
  6. treasonous ›
  7. treasure ›
  8. treasure house ›
  9. treasure hunt ›
  10. treasure-trove ›