Meaning & use

treadmill

noun·Everyday

An exercise machine with a moving belt that a person walks or runs on without changing location.

See it in a sentence

He runs five miles on the treadmill every morning before work.

The gym added three new treadmills to meet growing demand.

A note on using this word

Figuratively, the treadmill describes a tiring routine that feels repetitive and offers little real progress.

Words with a similar meaning

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Another way to use it

2. noun

A tiring, repetitive routine that seems to offer no real progress or escape.

She felt trapped on the treadmill of long hours and unpaid bills.

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