cleat

noun

\ ˈklēt

Definition of cleat

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

verb

cleated; cleating; cleats

Definition of cleat (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Wednesday, adidas revealed the adidas Made For Minnesota (AM4MN) football cleats — the first to be made at its SPEEDFACTORY. — Demetrio Teniente, Houston Chronicle, "Adidas unveils 'AM4MN' Super Bowl LII cleats," 1 Feb. 2018 The quick-moving world of digital analysis has already produced a major shift in design for speed cleats. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "The Surprisingly Sophisticated Science of Cleats," 29 Sep. 2016 Not long after the Thunderhawks were jumping in their cleats as Reed accepted culminating a day of baseball their families will never forget. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Lakota East coach makes proposal at Great American Ballpark home plate," 26 Apr. 2018 Thomas Tull, a businessman, film producer and part-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, donated a cap and cleats that Mays used, as well as a glove clearly marked in ink with Mays’ name and uniform number. — John. N. Mcmurray, Smithsonian, "Even Today, Willie Mays Remains a Giant in Baseball History," 6 June 2018 On that Saturday, Montgomery wrote two words on his cap and cleats that remained with him for the rest of the season: Team Orze. — Brian Murphy, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF pitcher JJ Montgomery eager to get draft call, aid friend battling cancer," 5 June 2018 Each recipient will use its grant to purchase Under Armour packages that might include jerseys and cleats. — baltimoresun.com, "Digest: Glen Burnie's Kaplan to participate in MLB's Girls Baseball Breakthrough Series," 22 May 2018 USA TODAY Sports MOSCOW — Nike responded defiantly on Sunday following criticism over its refusal to provide cleats for the Iran World Cup team – due to United States sanctions against the country. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Nike says Iran World Cup saga is 'misleading'," 17 June 2018 The kicker wore a purple visor, black tank top, purple basketball shorts, white socks and black Under Armour cleats. — Cortlynn Stark, kansascity, "He kicked a cat as someone yelled 'field goal' in video. City wants help finding him," 19 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Elks defeated the Red Sox, 11-6, in a game that offered a double whammy to La Cañada, which had a player ejected and suspended for allegedly cleating an Elks player on a play at first base. — Andrew J. Campa, latimes.com, "Robust Glendale Juniors baseball tournament ends with cancelation," 24 May 2018 Abby Cavaiani put her soccer cleats back on this spring for the first time in years. — Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Kettle Moraine grad Cavaiani continues impressive rise as she qualifies for Junior PGA Championship for second straight year," 6 July 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — Tassanee Vejpongsa, Fox News, "US, UK teams join Thailand's search for 13 missing in cave," 28 June 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — Tassanee Vejpongsa, Houston Chronicle, "Rain, high water complicate cave search for Thai soccer team," 27 June 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — Washington Post, "Rain, high water complicate cave search for Thai soccer team," 27 June 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — NBC News, "Rescue of Thai soccer team trapped in cave complicated by heavy rains," 27 June 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — Tassanee Vejpongsa, Houston Chronicle, "Rain, high water complicate cave search for Thai soccer team," 27 June 2018 Medics sat in a tent nearby, and bicycles, backpacks and soccer cleats the boys left behind remained at the entrance. — NBC News, "Rescue of Thai soccer team trapped in cave complicated by heavy rains," 27 June 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.