tread

Plural: treads

Noun

• a step in walking or running
• the grooved surface of a pneumatic tire
• the part (as of a wheel or shoe) that makes contact with the ground
• structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step
• A step taken with the foot.
• A manner of stepping.
• The sound made when someone or something is walking.
• A way; a track or path.
• A walking surface in a stairway on which the foot is placed.
• The grooves carved into the face of a tire, used to give the tire traction.
• The grooves on the bottom of a shoe or other footwear, used to give grip or traction.
• The chalaza of a bird's egg; the treadle.
• The act of avian copulation in which the male bird mounts the female by standing on her back.
• The top of the banquette, on which soldiers stand to fire over the parapet.
• A bruise or abrasion produced on the foot or ankle of a horse that interferes, or strikes its feet together.

Verb

Verb Forms: trod, trode, treaded, trodden, treading, treads

• To walk on, over, or along something, often carefully.
• put down or press the foot, place the foot
  • "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"
• tread or stomp heavily or roughly
• crush as if by treading on
  • "tread grapes to make wine"
• brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center
• apply (the tread) to a tire
• mate with
  • "male birds tread the females"
• To step or walk (on or across something); to trample.
• To step or walk upon.
• To proceed, to behave (in a certain manner).
• To beat or press with the feet.
• To work a lever, treadle, etc., with the foot or the feet.
• To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, etc.
• To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue; to repress.
• To copulate; said of (especially male) birds.
• To copulate with.
• To crush grapes with one's feet to make wine

Examples

• Actors tread the boards.
• Don't tread on the lawn.
• He trod back and forth wearily.
• to tread a path; to tread land when too light; a well-trodden path
• to tread carefully, to tread cautiously, to tread warily
• to tread lightly, to tread gently
• You must TREAD carefully when placing a letter, ensuring it connects properly to existing words.

Synonyms

pace, step, stride, trample, run, step on, stomp

Antonyms

rise, riser

Related Words

trade