verb (used without object),trod,trod·den or trod,tread·ing.
to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk.
to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something (usually followed by on or upon): to tread on a person's foot.
(of a male bird) to copulate.
verb (used with object),trod,trod·den or trod,tread·ing.
to step or walk on, about, in, or along.
to trample or crush underfoot.
to form by the action of walking or trampling: to tread a path.
to treat with disdainful harshness or cruelty; crush; oppress.
to perform by walking or dancing: to tread a measure.
(of a male bird) to copulate with (a female bird).
noun
the action of treading, stepping, or walking.
the sound of footsteps.
manner of treading or walking.
a single step as in walking.
any of various things or parts on which a person or thing treads, stands, or moves.
the part of the under surface of the foot or of a shoe that touches the ground.
the horizontal upper surface of a step in a stair, on which the foot is placed.
the part of a wheel, tire, or runner that bears on the road, rail, etc.
the pattern raised on or cut into the face of a rubber tire.
Also caterpillar tread . a metal tread on which a Caterpillar-style vehicle moves.
Railroads. that part of a rail in contact with the treads of wheels.
Idioms for tread
tread on someone's toes / corns, to offend or irritate someone.
tread the boards, to act on the stage, especially professionally: He recalled the days when he had trod the boards.
tread water,
Swimming.to maintain the body erect in the water with the head above the surface usually by a pumping up-and-down movement of the legs and sometimes the arms.
Slang.to make efforts that maintain but do not further one's status, progress, or performance: He's just treading water here until he can find another job.
Origin of tread
before 900; (v.) Middle English treden,Old English tredan; cognate with Old Frisian treda,Old Saxon tredan,Dutch treden,German treten; akin to Old Norse trotha,Gothic trudan; (noun) Middle English tred footprint, derivative of the v.