tread definition

1. the grooved surface of a pneumatic tire
2. the part (as of a wheel or shoe) that makes contact with the ground
3. structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step
4. tread or stomp heavily or roughly
• examples: The soldiers trampled across the fields
5. crush as if by treading on
• examples: tread grapes to make wine
6. brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center
7. apply (the tread) to a tire
8. mate with
• examples: male birds tread the females