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 last one on the right is now empty, cleared of clothes, cleats, camouflage Crocs and the giant National League Gold Glove trophy that sat on a middle shelf. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025 Nike has also found a hit for the sport with the relaunch of the Total 90 3, also a 2000s soccer cleat, as an out-and-out sneaker this year. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 May 2025 What to look for in quality men’s soccer cleats Men’s soccer cleat construction Each section of men’s soccer cleats have important elements to consider that affect performance. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 And while soccer cleats being paired with skirts and bow embellishments seems like another fad to come out of TikTok and Pinterest, this style's history and connection to the Latinx and Caribbean community is currently being written over as an internet trend. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 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 29 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cleat

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