treated; treating; treats
1
2
a
: to bear oneself toward : use
treat a horse cruelly
b
: to regard and deal with in a specified manner
—usually used with as
treat the matter as confidential
3
a
: to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment
they treated us to lunch
b
: to provide with enjoyment or gratification
4
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically
treat a disease
5
: to act upon with some agent especially to improve or alter
treat a metal with acid
1
: to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) especially as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship
2
: to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate
3
: to deal with a matter especially in writing : discourse
—usually used with of
a book treating of conservation
treater
noun
1
a
: the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment
dinner will be my treat
b
: an entertainment given without expense to those invited
2
: an especially unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement
seeing her again was a treat
Examples of treat in a Sentence
Verb
The author treats this issue in the next chapter.
This situation must be treated with great care.
I try to treat everyone equally.
She treats the horse cruelly.
They treated me like a member of their family.
I was treated like a queen.
My parents still treat me like a child.
Try to treat everyone as an equal.
Young people should always treat their elders with respect.
Let's go out to dinner. I'll treat.
Noun
We took the kids to the water park as a special treat.
cookies and other tasty treats
She rewarded the dog with a treat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
On Fridays patrons can enjoy light bites while a DJ plays a mix of Caribbean sounds; Saturdays they are treated to live music, and Sundays offer wellness with morning yoga, an afternoon drum class and evening jazz.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
On Monday, the prediction was for trick-or-treat time temperatures on Friday to be around 50.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Some materials and surfaces should not be treated with WD-40.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
On Fridays patrons can enjoy light bites while a DJ plays a mix of Caribbean sounds; Saturdays they are treated to live music, and Sundays offer wellness with morning yoga, an afternoon drum class and evening jazz.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
And if your gifts are on the heavier side, think homemade treats, books, or candles; flat-rate boxes can be your best friend since the price stays the same no matter how far the package travels.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
On Monday, the prediction was for trick-or-treat time temperatures on Friday to be around 50.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treat
Cite this Entry
“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treat. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
treat
1 of 2 verb1
: to discuss terms of agreement with : negotiate
treat with the enemy
2
a
: to have as a subject especially in writing
a book treating of crime
b
: to deal with : handle
roses must be treated with care
3
a
: to pay for another's food or entertainment
I'm treating tonight
b
: to provide with free food, entertainment, or enjoyment
let me treat you with lunch
4
: to handle, use, or act toward in a usually stated way
treat a horse cruelly
treat this as top secret
5
: to give medical or surgical care to
treat a patient
treat a cold
6
: to subject to some action or process to bring about a desired result
treat a metal with acid
treat
2 of 2 noun1
: an entertainment given without expense to those invited
2
: a usually unexpected or unusual source of pleasure or amusement
Medical Definition
treat
transitive verb
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically : deal with by medical or surgical means
treated their diseases
treats a patient
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