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

Chad Powers is gearing up for the gridiron, complete with shoulder pads, cleats, jersey and (a literal) face mask. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 28 Dec. 2024

Players who partake in the campaign are allowed to pick a cause that’s important to them and represent the organization on their cleats. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2024

Black cleats are prohibited in the Chiefs' locker room While players and teams are required to follow the NFL's official code of conduct, each team can enforce its own rules for players. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Next, Pharrell has designed Louis Vuitton’s first soccer cleat, the Footprint Soccer Shoe. —Essence, 13 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