tread

/tɹˈɛd/

/ˈtɹɛd/

to tread

MAIN VERB

tread or stomp heavily or roughly

synonyms : trample

put down or press the foot, place the foot

synonyms : step

crush as if by treading on

brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center

mate with

apply (the tread) to a tire

Tread

a step in walking or running

synonyms : pace

the horizontal part of a step in a staircase that provides a surface to walk on

the part (as of a wheel or shoe) that makes contact with the ground

the grooved surface of a pneumatic tire

Examples

1. Turkey treads a tightrope in its approach to Russia.

2. Shawn, we are treading on thin ice right now.

3. It's true he treads on my toes now and then, but at any rate he won't let me down.

4. The company was treading water financially and needed to make some changes in order to turn a profit.