I. ˈtred verb
( trod ˈträd ; also tread·ed ; trod·den ˈträ-d ə n ; or trod ; tread·ing )
Etymology: Middle English treden, from Old English tredan; akin to Old High German tretan to tread
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to step or walk on or over
b. : to walk or proceed along : follow
tread ing a fine line between tradition and innovation
2.
a. : to beat or press with the feet : trample
b. : to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush
3. : to copulate with — used of a male bird
4.
a. : to form by treading : beat
tread a path
b. : to execute by stepping or dancing
tread a measure
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 tread ing on the flowers
3. : copulate
• tread·er noun
•
- tread on one's toes
- tread water
II. 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 -ləs adjective