Collins English-English Dictionary

tread [trεd]

1. 1. vb to walk or trample in, on, over, or across (something)

2. 2. vb [when intr, foll by on] to crush or squash by or as if by treading

   to tread grapes

   to tread on a spider

3. 3. vi. [intr; sometimes foll by on] to subdue or repress, as by doing injury (to)

   to tread on one's inferiors

4. 4. vt. [tr] to do by walking or dancing

   to tread a measure

5. 5. vt. [tr] (of a male bird) to copulate with (a female bird)

6. 6. n a manner or style of walking, dancing, etc

   a light tread

7. 7. n the act of treading

8. 8. n the top surface of a step in a staircase

9. 9. n the outer part of a tyre or wheel that makes contact with the road, esp the grooved surface of a pneumatic tyre

10. 10. n the part of a rail that wheels touch

11. 11. n the part of a shoe that is generally in contact with the ground

12. 12. n [vet science] an injury to a horse's foot caused by the opposite foot, or the foot of another horse

13. 13. n a rare word for footprint

14. 14. n [Etymology] Old English tredan; related to Old Norse trotha , Old High German tretan, Swedish träda