tread
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to step or walk on something.
v.to set the foot down while walking; often used with 'on' or 'upon'.
Simple“Be careful not to tread on the flowers while you are playing in the garden.”
In context“The hikers were warned to tread carefully on the loose scree to avoid triggering a rockslide.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
v.to press or crush something by stepping on it many times.
v.to crush, press, or beat something using the feet.
Simple“In the old days, people would tread grapes to make wine.”
In context“The traditional festival featured a demonstration where volunteers would tread the harvested grapes in large wooden vats.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the pattern of grooves on a tyre or the bottom of a shoe that stops you from slipping.
n.the part of a wheel or shoe that makes contact with the ground, specifically the grooves designed to provide traction.
Simple“The tyres on your car are dangerous because the tread is worn down.”
In context“The forensic team took a plaster cast of the boot's tread to compare it with the prints found at the crime scene.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.the flat part of a step that you stand on.
n.the horizontal upper surface of a step in a staircase.
Simple“The wooden tread of the third step was loose and made a loud noise.”
In context“The architect specified oak for the stair treads to ensure durability in the high-traffic entrance hall.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.the sound or style of a person's footsteps.
n.the sound, manner, or rhythm of a person's footsteps.
Simple“She recognised the heavy tread of her father coming up the stairs.”
In context“A heavy, deliberate tread echoed through the empty corridor, alerting the night watchman to an intruder.”
“We need it.” That this draw – which followed another against Burnley and defeat to Charlton – came against a Watford team openly treading water only emphasised West Ham’s struggles.”
“Are you OK?” We tread carefully, cautiously polite, until Adam offers to come to our home and talk me through what happened.”
From Middle English treden, from Old English tredan, from Proto-West Germanic tredan, from Proto-Germanic trudaną.
From Middle English tred, from treden (“to tread”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.