# tread

/ˈtɹɛd/ (US) · /tɹˈɛd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tread
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to step on

verb · CEFR B2

to step or walk on something.

For teachers: to set the foot down while walking; often used with 'on' or 'upon'.

- Be careful not to tread on the flowers while you are playing in the garden.
- The hikers were warned to tread carefully on the loose scree to avoid triggering a rockslide.

### 3. to crush with feet

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to press or crush something by stepping on it many times.

For teachers: to crush, press, or beat something using the feet.

- In the old days, people would tread grapes to make wine.
- The traditional festival featured a demonstration where volunteers would tread the harvested grapes in large wooden vats.

### 5. tyre or shoe pattern

noun · CEFR B2

the pattern of grooves on a tyre or the bottom of a shoe that stops you from slipping.

For teachers: the part of a wheel or shoe that makes contact with the ground, specifically the grooves designed to provide traction.

- The tyres on your car are dangerous because the tread is worn down.
- The forensic team took a plaster cast of the boot's tread to compare it with the prints found at the crime scene.

### 6. part of a stair

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the flat part of a step that you stand on.

For teachers: the horizontal upper surface of a step in a staircase.

- The wooden tread of the third step was loose and made a loud noise.
- The architect specified oak for the stair treads to ensure durability in the high-traffic entrance hall.

### 7. sound of walking

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the sound or style of a person's footsteps.

For teachers: the sound, manner, or rhythm of a person's footsteps.

- She recognised the heavy tread of her father coming up the stairs.
- A heavy, deliberate tread echoed through the empty corridor, alerting the night watchman to an intruder.

## Examples

- Be careful not to tread on the flowers.
- The hikers were told to tread carefully along the narrow mountain path to avoid loose rocks.
- The negotiator had to tread carefully between the two opposing sides, ensuring that no single comment could be interpreted as a sign of favoritism.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.