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

That meant taking a pair of those custom cleats and cutting them up with scissors. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Baltimore-based Under Armour will supply cleats and gloves to the National Football League under a long-term deal announced Tuesday. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025

But the cleats are key for Nimmo, who switched to wearing Marucci’s brand new baseball cleats after previously wearing Under Armour and New Balance. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025

Bates was no longer running down sidelines to knock the cleats off kick returners. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 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