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

Next, Pharrell has designed Louis Vuitton’s first soccer cleat, the Footprint Soccer Shoe. —Essence, 13 Dec. 2024

Locke then leaned over to the bag between us and showed me one of his shoes, pointing to the cleats on the bottom. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2024

Cut the 1x3 into one 48-inch-long nose piece and two 20-inch cleats. —Maria V. Charbonneaux, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024

Screw through the bottom of the cleat into the bottom side of the tabletop so as not to disturb the finish on the top. —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