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

Fast-forward to 2024, and no athlete has been able to touch those beauty looks, nor the spikes beneath the late sprinter’s cleats—except perhaps Sha’Carri Richardson. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Jan. 2025

In April, the Pro Football Hall of Fame placed his jersey and cleats on display in Canton, Ohio. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025

The former’s had the Giants on the brain for weeks, even to the point of flashing some custom cleats that featured the G-Men’s famous blue-and-red logo. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025

The company used steel wheels with cleats until about 1936. —David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 29 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