First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tread
verb \ˈtred\
: to walk
: to walk on or along (something)
: to form (a path) by walking
trod \ˈträd\ also tread·edtrod·den \ˈträ-dən\ or trodtread·ing
Full Definition of TREAD
transitive verb
1
a : to step or walk on or over b : to walk or proceed along : follow <treading a fine line between tradition and innovation>
3
: to copulate with —used of a male bird
4
intransitive verb
1
: to move or proceed on or as if on foot <must tread lightly>
2
a : to set foot <has gone where others fear to tread> b : to put one's foot : step <carelessly treading on the flowers>
3
: copulate
— tread·er noun
— tread on one's toes
: to give offense (as by encroaching on one's rights or feelings)
— tread water
: to keep the body nearly upright in the water and the head above water by a treading motion of the feet usually aided by the hands
See tread defined for English-language learners
See tread defined for kids
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Origin of TREAD
Middle English treden, from Old English tredan; akin to Old High German tretan to tread
2tread
noun
: the part of a tire that touches the ground : the pattern of raised lines on the surface of a tire
: a mark made by a tire when it rolls over the ground
: the part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground : the pattern of raised lines on the bottom of a shoe or boot
Full Definition of TREAD
1
: a mark (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading
2
a (1) : the action of treading (2) : an act or instance of treading : step b : manner of stepping c : the sound of treading
3
a : the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground; also : the pattern on the bottom of a sole b (1) : the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail (2) : the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire
4
: the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
5
a : the upper horizontal part of a step b : the width of such a tread
— tread·less \-ləs\ adjective
See tread defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TREAD
13th century
Other Automotive Terms
TREAD Defined for Kids
1tread
verb \ˈtred\
trod \ˈträd\trod·den \ˈträ-dən\ or trodtread·ing
Definition of TREAD for Kids
1
: to step or walk on or over
2
: to beat or press with the feet <The snow was deep … few people had been out to tread it down … — Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising>
3
: to move on foot : walk
— tread water
: to keep the body upright in water and the head above water by moving the legs and arms
2tread
noun
Definition of TREAD for Kids
1
: the action, manner, or sound of stepping or walking
2
: a mark made by a tire rolling over the ground
3
: the part of something (as a shoe or tire) that touches a surface
4
: the part of a step that is stepped on <stair treads>
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