cleat

1 of 2

noun

ˈklēt 

1

a

: a wedge-shaped piece fastened to or projecting from something and serving as a support or check

b

: a wooden or metal fitting usually with two projecting horns around which a rope may be made fast

2

a

: a strip fastened across something to give strength or hold in position

b(1)

: a projecting piece (as on the bottom of a shoe) that furnishes a grip

(2)

cleats plural : shoes equipped with cleats

cleat

2 of 2

verb

cleated; cleating; cleats

transitive verb

1

: to secure to or by a cleat

2

: to provide with a cleat

Examples of cleat in a Sentence

Noun

a football player wearing cleats

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The coach didn’t bother to remove his cleats for the stunt. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025

On some docks, cleats broke loose, so vessels were no longer securely tied. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024

After Brees hung up his cleats, the Saints tried annual disappointment Jameis Winston as their starter in 2021, turned to declining veteran Andy Dalton in 2022, then gave mediocre Derek Carr a four-year, $150 million contract in March, 2023. —Rob Reischel, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Prime all wardrobe parts and the cleats from Step 1. —Maria V. Charbonneaux, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English clete wedge, from Old English *clēat; akin to Middle High German klōz lump — more at clout

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cleat

noun

ˈklēt

1

: a wooden or metal device around which a rope may be made fast

2

: a strip or projection fastened on or across something (as a shoe) to give strength or a place to hold or to prevent slipping