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to tread

to tread

1 5.6
To give a tire a pattern so it grips the road
  • verb
  • /trɛd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : recauchutar
  • I put one hand on her incredible butt and the other on her breast as we kissed and treaded.

Examples

  • You notice a little more a little more all terrain tread coming through to the cabin.

  • It can be done right, but we as an industry need to tread carefully.

    Blog text (11)
  • Treading water, he gripped the man's arms, and in another moment, they were both back on the balcony.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • They're like a nude sandal with like a chunky tread and this beautiful crisscross detail.

  • Another fastcat was parked there, next to an ancient treaded cultivator with a digging bar cocked up over its rear cowling like the tail of some enormous insect.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Trying a ploy to slow him down, Gamay said, "Dr. Chi, how is your Mayan dictionary coming along?" The professor attempted to talk over the loud whir of the heavy-treaded tires and the rush of air around the boxy vehicle.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The mechanic explained how to ensure the tire tread was deep enough for better grip on wet roads.

  • Before heading out on a trip, it is important to check the tread of your tires to ensure safe driving.

  • The rugged design of the new tire tread provides excellent traction on slippery surfaces.

Idioms

To act on a stage in front of an audience

Phrasal Verbs

To act carefully to avoid hurting feelings or making mistakes

7 3.3

To put your foot on something, often by accident

Act carefully to avoid mistakes, danger, or upsetting others

Make something flat by walking on it again and again

Compounds

caterpillar tread
  • Specialized
6.0

A continuous metal belt that helps vehicles like tanks and bulldozers move over rough ground

tread-softly
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant with stinging hairs that make the skin hurt

tread-wheel
  • Archaic
9.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it to power a mill

How Grippy

to cleat
1 7.4
to tread
  • Specialized
1 5.6
to roughen
2 4.2

Surface Forms

tread infinitive
treading present participle
treads third person singular
trod past
trod past participle

Etymology

Tread in the sense of giving a tire a patterned surface comes from the idea of the part that is 'stepped on' or 'trod'. So to tread a tire is to give it the surface that will touch the ground and give grip.