treadmill

[ tred-mil ]
/ ˈtrɛdˌmɪl /

noun

an apparatus for producing rotary motion by the weight of people or animals, treading on a succession of moving steps or a belt that forms a kind of continuous path, as around the periphery of a pair of horizontal cylinders.
an exercise machine that allows the user to walk or run in place, usually on a continuous moving belt.
any monotonous, wearisome routine in which there is little or no satisfactory progress.

Origin of treadmill

First recorded in 1815–25; tread + mill1

Example sentences from the Web for treadmill

British Dictionary definitions for treadmill

treadmill
/ (ˈtrɛdˌmɪl) /

noun

Also called: treadwheel (formerly) an apparatus used to produce rotation, in which the weight of men or animals climbing steps on or around the periphery of a cylinder or wheel caused it to turn
a dreary round or routine
an exercise machine that consists of a continuous moving belt on which to walk or jog