treated; treating; treats
1
a
: to deal with in speech or writing : expound
treats the topic in detail
b
: to present or represent artistically
Each artist treats the subject differently …—Ruth Lopez
… the theme is treated in the style of an arabesque …—North Country Now (Potsdam, New York)
c
: to deal with : handle
Food is plentiful and treated with imagination.—Cecil Beaton
2
a
: to behave or act toward
treats the animals kindly
treated everyone with respect
b
: to regard and deal with in a specified manner
—usually used with as or like
Treat the matter as confidential.
My parents still treat me like a child.
3
a
: to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment
They treated us to lunch.
b
: to provide with enjoyment or gratification
treated myself to a day at the spa
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
Let's go out for lunch. I'll treat.
2
: to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate
… the … government's plan to treat with Russia on the Arctic and other areas of mutual interest …—Lee Berthiaume
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
see also:
Cite this Entry
“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treat. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.
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