treads

Stair surfaces underfoot

Treads is the plural of tread, referring to the grooved surface of a tire that grips the road, or the horizontal part of a stair where you place your foot.

Worn treads on tires reduce traction: The mechanic said my treads were dangerously thin.

As a verb form, treads means walks or steps: She treads carefully on the icy sidewalk.

stair

riser

Stair's vertical portion

staircaseIndoor flight of steps
landingDescent's final moment
flightAerial journey by aircraft

stairway · escalator · stairwell · non-slip · carpet · wooden · banister · handrail · climb · ascend

walking

steps

Sequential actions in process

footstepsSounds of walking
paceSpeed of movement
strideExtended single footstep

gait · footfall · stomp · shuffle · tiptoe · trudge · plod · march · softly · heavily

footwear

soles

Bottom of footwear

bootsAnkle-covering footwear
sneakersCasual athletic footwear
shoesProtective foot coverings

sandals · loafers · cleats · flats · heels · slippers · moccasins · oxfords · clogs · pumps

grip

traction

Adhesive friction enabling movement

frictionResistance between touching surfaces
adhesionState of clinging fast
surfaceOutermost boundary layer

slippery · wet · dry · ice · rubber · cleats · contact · coefficient · non-slip · purchase

tire

rubber

Elastic polymer from trees

groovesNarrow carved channels
gripSecure manual hold
tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement

wear · bald · rotation · all-terrain · mud · snow · radial · whitewalls · retreads · blowout

pattern

texture

Surface tactile quality

groovesNarrow carved channels
ridgesNarrow elevated formations
lugsHandles or projections

herringbone · zigzag · diamond · knurled · crosshatch · waffle · channels · design · imprint · footprint

treads

riser

steps

soles

traction

rubber

texture

treads

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family