tread

Noun

• structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step

• the part (as of a wheel or shoe) that makes contact with the ground

• the grooved surface of a pneumatic tire

• a step in walking or running

Verb

• mate with
  • male birds tread the females
    

• apply (the tread) to a tire

• brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center

• crush as if by treading on
  • tread grapes to make wine
    

• tread or stomp heavily or roughly
  • The soldiers trampled across the fields
    

• put down or press the foot, place the foot
  • For fools rush in where angels fear to tread
    
  • step on the brake
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  pace , stride , trample , step