Search results for 'tread':

tread verb (trod, trodden or trod, treading) 1 intrans (usually tread on something) to put a foot or feet on it; to walk or step on it • trod on the cat's tail. 2 to step or walk on, over or along • trod the primrose path. 3 to crush or press (into the ground, etc) with a foot or feet; to trample • treading ash into the carpet. 4 to wear or form (a path, hole, etc) by walking. 5 to perform by walking. 6 intrans (usually tread on someone) to suppress them; to treat them cruelly. 7 said of a male bird: to copulate with (a female bird). noun 1 a manner, style or sound of walking. 2 an act of treading. 3 the horizontal part of a stair where someone puts their foot. Compare riser under rise. 4 a mark made by treading; a footprint or track. 5 a the thick, grooved and patterned surface of a tyre that grips the road and disperses rain water; b the depth of this surface. See also retread under remould. 6 a the part of a wheel that comes into contact with a rail, the ground, etc; b the part of a rail that comes into contact with the wheels. 7 the part of a shoe's sole that touches the ground. treader noun. treading noun. tread on delicate or dangerous ground or tread on thin ice to be or come perilously close to making a blunder, offending someone, etc. tread on air to be or feel exhilarated. tread on someone's toes 1 to encroach on their sphere of influence, etc. 2 to offend them. tread the boards to go on the stage; to act. tread water 1 to keep oneself afloat and upright in water by making a treading movement with the legs and a circular movement with the hands and arms. 2 to hold back from making a decision, taking progressive action, etc, usually temporarily • The company will have to tread water until sales improve.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tredan.

tread verb (trod, trodden or trod, treading) 1 intrans (usually tread on something) to put a foot or feet on it; to walk or step on it • trod on the cat's tail. 2 to step or walk on, over or along • trod the primrose path. 3 to crush or press (into the ground, etc) with a foot or feet; to trample • treading ash into the carpet. 4 to wear or form (a path, hole, etc) by walking. 5 to perform by walking. 6 intrans (usually tread on someone) to suppress them; to treat them cruelly. 7 said of a male bird: to copulate with (a female bird). noun 1 a manner, style or sound of walking. 2 an act of treading. 3 the horizontal part of a stair where someone puts their foot. Compare riser under rise. 4 a mark made by treading; a footprint or track. 5 a the thick, grooved and patterned surface of a tyre that grips the road and disperses rain water; b the depth of this surface. See also retread under remould. 6 a the part of a wheel that comes into contact with a rail, the ground, etc; b the part of a rail that comes into contact with the wheels. 7 the part of a shoe's sole that touches the ground. treader noun. treading noun. tread on delicate or dangerous ground or tread on thin ice to be or come perilously close to making a blunder, offending someone, etc. tread on air to be or feel exhilarated. tread on someone's toes 1 to encroach on their sphere of influence, etc. 2 to offend them. tread the boards to go on the stage; to act. tread water 1 to keep oneself afloat and upright in water by making a treading movement with the legs and a circular movement with the hands and arms. 2 to hold back from making a decision, taking progressive action, etc, usually temporarily • The company will have to tread water until sales improve.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tredan.

tread verb (trod, trodden or trod, treading) 1 intrans (usually tread on something) to put a foot or feet on it; to walk or step on it • trod on the cat's tail. 2 to step or walk on, over or along • trod the primrose path. 3 to crush or press (into the ground, etc) with a foot or feet; to trample • treading ash into the carpet. 4 to wear or form (a path, hole, etc) by walking. 5 to perform by walking. 6 intrans (usually tread on someone) to suppress them; to treat them cruelly. 7 said of a male bird: to copulate with (a female bird). noun 1 a manner, style or sound of walking. 2 an act of treading. 3 the horizontal part of a stair where someone puts their foot. Compare riser under rise. 4 a mark made by treading; a footprint or track. 5 a the thick, grooved and patterned surface of a tyre that grips the road and disperses rain water; b the depth of this surface. See also retread under remould. 6 a the part of a wheel that comes into contact with a rail, the ground, etc; b the part of a rail that comes into contact with the wheels. 7 the part of a shoe's sole that touches the ground. treader noun. treading noun. tread on delicate or dangerous ground or tread on thin ice to be or come perilously close to making a blunder, offending someone, etc. tread on air to be or feel exhilarated. tread on someone's toes 1 to encroach on their sphere of influence, etc. 2 to offend them. tread the boards to go on the stage; to act. tread water 1 to keep oneself afloat and upright in water by making a treading movement with the legs and a circular movement with the hands and arms. 2 to hold back from making a decision, taking progressive action, etc, usually temporarily • The company will have to tread water until sales improve.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tredan.