cleat

noun \ ˈklēt \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: cleat in a Sentence

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

Akinfeev guessed right to stop Spain’s third kick from Koke, then produced an incredible stop with his outstretched left cleat to keep out Iago Aspas, sending the stadium – and the country – into delirium.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Whatever happens, Vladimir Putin is winning the World Cup," 1 July 2018
And like all kids’ clothing, cleats are quickly outgrown.

— alyson ward, Houston Chronicle, "Soccer cleats service project help young players," 10 June 2018
Those cleats have been used in 42, Eight Men Out, Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own, The Natural.

— jeremy fuchs, SI.com, "A Tour of Sports Movie Memorabilia Heaven," 6 July 2018
Return to soccer With her golf game at an all-time high, Cavaiani decided to get those cleats out one last time.

— 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
Shaqiri has the flag of independent Kosovo stitched on to his cleats.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "The World Cup is a celebration of cosmopolitanism, until it isn’t," 4 July 2018
Under Armour now makes some cleats, compression sleeves and batting gloves used by MLB players and some of the catchers’ gear.

— lorraine mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Nike - not Under Armour - will supply MLB uniforms, report says," 24 May 2018
Now crosscut the support cleats based on the width of the sides.

— roy berendson, Popular Mechanics, "6 Simple Projects You Can Make From Scrap Wood," 21 Mar. 2018
Players have been encouraged to try seven-stud cleats in pregame NOT YET: The Vikings are 0-3 against the Eagles in the postseason.

— USA TODAY, "Defense wins championships, or at least the NFC title," 19 Jan. 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

cleated; cleating; cleats

transitive verb

1 : to secure to or by a cleat

2 : to provide with a cleat

Recent Examples of cleat from the Web

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

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