treadle

noun
UK: /ˈtred.əl/
US: /ˈtred.əl/

  1. A lever that is moved with the foot to operate a machine.

    1. The sewing machine has a treadle.
    2. She pushed down on the treadle to start the loom, weaving with practiced ease.
treadle verb

  1. To operate a machine or device by pressing a treadle.

    1. I treadle the sewing machine.
    2. The tailor treadled the machine, skillfully crafting the garment with careful precision.
treadle intransitive-verb

  1. To move your feet up and down in the water, as when swimming, so that you stay in the same place.

    1. He treadled water near the boat.
    2. She treadled water confidently, waiting for the rescue team to reach her location.
treadle transitive-verb

  1. To step or walk on something.

    1. Don't treadle the flowers!
    2. He carefully treadled the path, avoiding the muddy puddles after the heavy rainfall.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "treadle" is /ˈtred.əl/ in British English and /ˈtred.əl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Example usage of "treadle": "The sewing machine has a treadle.". More examples on the page.