To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ 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
cleat
verbcleated; cleating; cleats
Definition of cleat (Entry 2 of 2)
Examples of cleat in a Sentence
Noun
a football player wearing cleats
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Maybe those things help explain why there aren’t many high-profile signature cleats and fewer reported mega-deals.
—
oregonlive, "Canzano: Curious case of ex-Oregon QB Justin Herbert’s current no-deal with Nike," 5 May 2020 Taylor Kitsch, who played troubled high school football star Tim Riggins on the beloved show, traded his cleats for crosses in the miniseries.
—
Alexis Reliford, refinery29.com, "Yes, You’ve Definitely Seen The Guy Playing David Koresh In Waco Before," 4 May 2020 The Ortiz cleats have made the rounds across the league already without Betts even stepping foot on the field wearing them.
—
Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, "Mookie Betts’s cleats have special meaning during Players’ Weekend," 24 Aug. 2019 Since 1973, the Bearcats formally put on the cleats 877 times with a record of 385-408-84.
—
Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Local players on UC's soccer team react to AD John Cunningham's program closure," 14 Apr. 2020 Attach the two pole box cleats to the top inside of box with 1-1/4-inch screws.
—
Lucy Wendel, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Build a Custom Mailbox," 6 Apr. 2020 The cleat on his planting foot is half a size smaller than his normal shoes.
—
Katherine Fitzgerald, azcentral, "'She'll always be there': Cardinals punter Andy Lee honors late daughter with cleats," 6 Dec. 2019 Hodge’s second daughter got into USC but never laced up soccer cleats for the Trojans.
—
BostonGlobe.com, "Four more parents pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Boston to fraud and money laundering charges in connection with the sweeping, nationwide," 22 Oct. 2019 One of the hardest things an athlete has to do is to know when the time has come to throw in the towel, hang up the cleats, or put away the stick.
—
Bird Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Bird Brown: Referees need to know when to retire," 22 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Attach the angle cleats at the mark and below the cubbies with 1-5/8-inch screws for support.
—
Lucy Wendel, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Build a Custom Mailbox," 6 Apr. 2020 In 2018, James gifted OSU football players black his signature Nike Soldier XII cleats for the team’s game against Nebraska.
—
Joey Morona, cleveland, "Nike selling LeBron James Ohio State ‘alumni’ jersey because sure, why not?," 24 Dec. 2019 In 2018, James gifted OSU football players his black signature Nike Soldier XII cleats for the team’s game against Nebraska.
—
cleveland, "Nike selling LeBron James Ohio State ‘alumni’ jersey because sure, why not?," 24 Dec. 2019 Lopez is a shoe designer on the side, and Betts, who is sponsored by Jordan Brand, wanted three customized Jordan XIII cleats from him.
—
Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, "Mookie Betts’s cleats have special meaning during Players’ Weekend," 24 Aug. 2019 Vikings safety Anthony Harris, who enrolled at Virginia a year after Love’s death, also has worn One Love Foundation cleats each of the past two seasons.
—
Chris Tomasson, Twin Cities, "Vikings’ Stephen Weatherly helping tackle unhealthy relationships," 8 July 2019 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
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for cleat
cleat
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of cleat
: 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
US : shoes that have cleats on them
See the full definition for cleat in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cleat
noun\ ˈklēt \
\Kids Definition of cleat
1 : a wooden or metal device used to fasten a line or a rope
2 : a strip or projection fastened to the bottom of a shoe to prevent slipping
3 cleats plural : shoes equipped with cleats
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on cleat
What made you want to look up cleat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share cleat
Time Traveler for cleat
The first known use of cleat was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century