[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/treadmill/)

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# treadmill

noun (a treadmill, treadmills)

«treadmill» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A treadmill is an exercise machine with a moving belt that you walk or run on without going anywhere. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#m1)
2. (figurative) A treadmill is a boring routine of work that goes on and on and never seems to get anywhere. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#m2)
3. (history) A treadmill was a large wheel turned by people or animals walking on it, used to grind grain or pump water, and in Victorian prisons as a punishment. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#m3)

### In the lessons

Health and PE: treadmills at gyms let people run indoors; you can set speed and slope. Safety: children should not use treadmills without an adult — fingers and clothes can get caught. History: Victorian prisoners were made to walk the treadmill for hours. Everyday talk: «I'm stuck on the treadmill» means my life feels like the same tiring work every day.

### Examples

- Mum runs on the treadmill when it is raining. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x1)
- The treadmill was set to a slow walk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x2)
- Victorian prisoners had to walk on the treadmill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x3)
- He felt his job was a never-ending treadmill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x4)
- Keep fingers away from a moving treadmill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x5)
- Vets use underwater treadmills to help dogs recover. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x6)
- How long and wearisome the time appeared; it was like being in a treadmill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/#x7)

### Note

Countable, one word. From «tread» (to step) + «mill». Similar: running machine (UK).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «treadmill» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/treadmill/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«treadmill» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/treadmill.html) on Mova free.