n.
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
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 \ -l ə s \ adjective