# tread

> English word · Verb · IPA /tɹɛd/ · frequency rank #14,652

## Definitions
1. To step or walk (on or across something); to trample.
2. To step or walk upon.
3. To proceed, to behave (in a certain manner).
4. To beat or press with the feet.
5. To work a lever, treadle, etc., with the foot or the feet.
6. To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, etc.
7. To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue; to repress.
8. To copulate; said of (especially male) birds.
9. To copulate with (a hen).
10. To crush grapes with one's feet to make wine

## Etymology
From Middle English treden, from Old English tredan, from Proto-West Germanic *tredan, from Proto-Germanic *trudaną.

## Easily confused with
- **tree** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-tree)
- **trek** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trek)
- **Trey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trey)
- **tres** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-tres)
- **tried** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-tried)
- **trial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trial)
- **treat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-treat)
- **trees** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trees)
- **trend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trend)
- **Trent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trent)
- **tweak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-tweak)
- **tweed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-tweed)
- **triad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-triad)
- **treaty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-treaty)
- **trendy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-trendy)
- **triads** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-triads)
- **treated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tread-vs-treated)
- **tea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tea-vs-tread)
- **Ted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ted-vs-tread)
- **tad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tad-vs-tread)

## Common misspellings (6)
`rtead`, `terad`, `treadd`, `treda`, `trread`, `ttread`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/tread