1. a lever or pedal pressed by the foot to operate a machine

1. to work a treadle with the foot

Examples

• She pressed the treadle to start the old sewing machine.
• The potter’s wheel was powered by a foot treadle.
• My grandmother could treadle her Singer sewing machine for hours.
• The blacksmith used a treadle-operated bellows to stoke the fire.
• He learned to treadle the machine smoothly and steadily.
• The antique loom still had its original wooden treadle.
• She would treadle rhythmically while quilting.