How to pronounce treadmill
Say it like TRED-mil. Treadmill has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRED).
- TRED
- mil
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Treadmill pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TREDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- milGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of treadmill
American and British speakers say treadmill in essentially the same way: /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/ in the US and /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TRED-mil.
What does treadmill mean?
- A piece of indoor sporting equipment used to allow for the motions of running or walking while staying in one place.
- A mill worked by horses, dogs, etc., treading an endless belt.
- A process or situation in which continued effort leads to or is required for remaining at a particular state or level without moving ahead.
- To exercise on a treadmill.
- To keep busy, for example, with work or with other tasks, without being able to get ahead or make progress towards long-term goals.
Where does treadmill come from?
From tread + mill. Its figurative senses refer to the idea that running on a treadmill requires continued effort and motion to remain in the same place.
Questions about saying treadmill
How do you pronounce treadmill?
Say TRED-mil. The American pronunciation is /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/. In British English it is /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in treadmill?
Treadmill has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRED). Broken into parts: TRED · mil.
Do Americans and Brits say treadmill the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/ and the British form is /ˈtrɛdˌmɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.