cleat

noun \ ˈklēt \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

Akiem Hicks shuffled into the Halas Hall media room Tuesday afternoon wearing orange-and-navy cleats and workout gear.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Bears' Akiem Hicks savoring benefits of defensive continuity with Vic Fangio," 17 Apr. 2018
Some of the players can't afford cleats, bats and gloves.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Sophomore with muscular dystrophy a big part of Coronado baseball rebuild," 12 Apr. 2018
According to Wood, the members were able to collect 102 bats, 54 gloves, 37 helmets, 88 pairs of baseball pants and 33 pairs of cleats.

— haleigh rowland, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Timber Creek’s ‘Angels’ club brings joy of baseball to kids in need," 18 Mar. 2018
Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to camp on Tuesday and optimism is in the air, hope springs eternal, the sound of cleats on concrete and all that.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers will stink in 2018; here's why they'll be fun to watch," 12 Feb. 2018
For instance, Ohio State football gets LeBron cleats and North Carolina basketball got extremely exclusive Jordans last year.

— alysha tsuji, For The Win, "Kansas players excited to receive Yeezys before Final Four," 31 Mar. 2018
Taven Bryan tied his unlaced cleats as a semicircle of NFL coaches and scouts surrounded the soon-to-be millionaire.

— ethan bauer, miamiherald, "This Florida Gators defensive lineman impressed NFL scouts and coaches at Pro Day | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018
There’s been talk that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski might hang up his cleats and head to Hollywood.

— mark shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, "Gronk to appear in action flick," 28 Mar. 2018
Barcelona’s superstar, and some would argue the best footballer in history—a staff member points to a lanky 11-year-old in neon-orange cleats, darting across the field.

— vivienne walt, Fortune, "Inside FC Barcelona's Global Football Empire," 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

cleat

verb

Definition of cleat

transitive verb

1 : to secure to or by a cleat

2 : to provide with a cleat

Recent Examples of cleat from the Web

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
Coach Adrian Heath said Alvbage will have stitches removed soon from his left knee after being cleated and carted off in the final minutes of the 6-1 loss to Atlanta on March 12.

— andy greder, Twin Cities, "United goalie John Alvbage improving but playing Saturday is a ‘bit early’," 21 Mar. 2017
Midfielder Antonio Nocerino, who also was ejected in that game for cleating Chicago’s Matt Polster in the back during a challenge, will serve a one-game suspension and pay the $250 fine issued for getting a red card.

— alicia delgallo, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Scrappy Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita says daughter is ‘exactly like me'," 9 June 2017
Their hard, cleat-like claws also give them traction while running.

— National Geographic, "World's Fastest Cheetah Dies—Watch Her Run," 22 Jan. 2016

First Known Use of cleat

1794

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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