cleat

1 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The group watched as linebackers and defensive linemen pushed their cleats through the 40-yard dash track at the stadium, ran around hoops and cones and navigated through perhaps the biggest job interview of their lives at the NFL scouting combine. Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Acceptable donation items include sports balls, baseball bats, rubber batting tees, softball and baseball masks and mitts, hockey and lacrosse sticks, tennis and racquetball rackets and cleats. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 Beyond awards, Decoy has his own fake passport, was featured on the inside of Ohtani’s suit on the All-Star red carpet, and appeared on Ohtani’s custom Decoy cleats for Players’ Weekend. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026 Decoy has his own fake passport, was featured on the inside of Ohtani’s suit on the All-Star red carpet, and appeared on the side of Ohtani’s custom Decoy cleats for Players’ Weekend. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleat

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleat was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Cleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleat. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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

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