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

Last week, Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 years old—an age when most athletes have long hung up their cleats, sneakers, tennis rackets or boxing gloves. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025

The days when Black men and boys would wake up early, get a fade, then wait in line for the latest kicks, new cleats, or as leisure. —Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Feb. 2025

The Eagles wide receiver famously wore pink cleats during games so the pair’s daughter could spot him on the field. —Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

Taylor wears one pair of socks, but tapes his cleats and ankles, called spatting, to protect his ankles after past injuries. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for cleat

• beat
• beet
• bleat
• cheat
• creat
• deet
• eat
• feat
• feet
• fleet
• greet
• heat

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