cleat

noun \ ˈklēt \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: cleat in a Sentence

Definition of cleat

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

See cleat defined for English-language learners

See cleat defined for kids

Examples of cleat in a Sentence

a football player wearing cleats

Recent Examples of cleat from the Web

The players may have started a new footwear trend that sure beats the humble cleat, too: White loafers with a green tassel bouncing off the front.

— liana satenstein, Vogue, "The Best Dressed Team at the World Cup? Nigeria for the Win!," 11 June 2018
The girl with the orange cleats had crossed it in front a number of times from the left.

— matt szabo, latimes.com, "Daily Pilot Cup: Mariners gets off to a strong start with shutout of Newport Heights," 30 May 2018
But after joining the 1907 Cubs as the only two teams in National League history to win their first nine series to open a season, the Diamondbacks aren’t quaking in their cleats.

— bob mcmanaman, azcentral, "Diamondbacks overcoming rash of injuries with strong start to season," 30 Apr. 2018
That pays for soccer cleats, camp and school pictures, as well as her children's health insurance.

— author: patricia cohen, robert gebeloff, Anchorage Daily News, "Public servants are losing their foothold in the U.S. middle class," 23 Apr. 2018
That pays for soccer cleats, camp and school pictures, as well as her children’s health insurance.

— patricia cohen and robert gebeloff, New York Times, "Public Servants Are Losing Their Foothold in the Middle Class," 22 Apr. 2018
Rather than cleats and shin pads, try pairing it with other era-appropriate staples like light-wash jeans, a striped tee and some clean new kicks.

— yang-yi goh, GQ, "The Best Windbreakers Will Help You Survive Spring Weather in Style," 18 Apr. 2018
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman — who helped the Carolina Panthers get to the Super Bowl in 2015 — is temporarily trading in his football cleats for a pair of dancing shoes.

— théoden janes, charlotteobserver, "Josh Norman joins 'Dancing With the Stars.' His prior experience sounds ... limited. | Charlotte Observer," 13 Apr. 2018
Butt each cleat to the square and attach it with four 1 1/4-inch screws.

— roy berendson, Popular Mechanics, "6 Simple Projects You Can Make From Scrap Wood," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cleat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cleat

Middle English clete wedge, from Old English *clēat; akin to Middle High German klōz lump — more at clout

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

cleat

verb

Definition of cleat

cleated; cleating; cleats

transitive verb

1 : to secure to or by a cleat

2 : to provide with a cleat

Recent Examples of cleat from the Web

Sarf stretched, and stretched, and here came the go-ahead run, and Sarf scooped a one-hopper out of the dirt, almost doing a balance-beam split with two fibers of her right cleat touching the black of home plate.

— SI.com, "Peter King’s Favorite Stories, from SI and The MMQB," 28 May 2018
Votendahl was cleated in a league game against Los Alamitos.

— matt szabo, latimes.com, "Daily Pilot High School Female Athlete of the Week: Jenna Bloom's return sparked Edison softball," 26 May 2018
Ty-ku Without cleated Cobb The captain dons wading boots The Swamp awaits Flood -- Myles C. Pollin *** Follow James Freeman on Twitter.

— james freeman, WSJ, "‘My Clients Are Fleeing NJ Like It’s on Fire’," 2 May 2018
Completing the ensemble were oversized gloves and cleats his father, Bryan, the Cardinals coach, wore during his playing days.

— glenn graham, baltimoresun.com, "With deep lacrosse roots, Calvert Hall star Jacob Kelly the latest to blossom on family tree," 17 Mar. 2018
The tribute cleats that also happen to run afoul of league policy.

— USA TODAY, "Steelers' Antonio Brown is ready to dance ... and win," 8 Sep. 2017
Here's a look at another style of LeBron cleats that the Buckeyes wore last season: The Ohio State-Oklahoma game on Saturday starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

— alysha tsuji, USA TODAY, "Ohio State football will wear awesome LeBron cleats," 7 Sep. 2017
His pregame ritual was putting white Kiwi shoe polish on his Converse All-Star cleats.

— joe davidson, sacbee, "‘King Kong sleeping’ on UC Davis’ campus? New coach Hawkins sees ‘limitless’ potential," 30 Aug. 2017
Diggs will play in Seattle, so the amazing designers at Mache Custom Kicks made him cleats that really do look like a cup of Joe from the chain that started in the Emerald City: Wow.

— charles curtis, USA TODAY, "Stefon Diggs will wear Starbucks-themed cleats," 18 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of cleat

1794

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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CLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

cleat

noun

Definition of cleat for English Language Learners

: a metal or wooden object that is attached to something (such as a boat or dock) and around which a rope can be tied
: a piece of rubber, wood, or metal that is fastened to the bottom of a shoe or boot to prevent slipping
cleats : shoes that have cleats on them