cleat

noun

\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

(2) cleats plural : shoes equipped with cleats

cleat

verb

cleated; cleating; cleats

Definition of cleat (Entry 2 of 2)

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: Noun

USA TODAY Sports MOSCOW — Nike responded defiantly on Sunday following criticism over its refusal to provide cleats for the Iran World Cup team – due to United States sanctions against the country. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Nike says Iran World Cup saga is 'misleading'," 17 June 2018 The kicker wore a purple visor, black tank top, purple basketball shorts, white socks and black Under Armour cleats. — Cortlynn Stark, kansascity, "He kicked a cat as someone yelled 'field goal' in video. City wants help finding him," 19 June 2018 Cubs veteran Ben Zobrist planned to call Joe Torre, Major League Baseball’s chief baseball officer, to receive some clarity on rules governing attire such as his black hightop cleats. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs' Ben Zobrist has one question for MLB on rule governing cleat color: 'Why?'," 14 May 2018 Lynch played his final game as a Seahawk the following week in a playoff loss at Carolina, then retired during the Super Bowl a few weeks later by sending out a wordless Tweet featuring cleats hanging on a telephone line. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Marshawn Lynch and Seahawks get ready to add one more chapter to their story," 9 Oct. 2018 Ivan Perisic made a strong run in the box and raised his left cleat high to deflect a cross past Jordan Pickford and into the net. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Croatia tops England in extra time to reach World Cup final," 11 July 2018 Taking third was Aptad, interchangeable shoe soles with cleats specific to turf, grass and indoor sports surfaces. — Jane Wooldridge, miamiherald, "And the 2018 Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge winners are ..... | Miami Herald," 3 May 2018 Brady also wore Under Armour cleats during the Super Bowl. — Jeff Barker, baltimoresun.com, "Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles fell into Under Armour’s lap. What will it do with him now?," 10 Mar. 2018 The tiny ballplayers in black uniforms, digging their dusty cleats into the dirt. — Maria Polletta, azcentral, "Phoenix police stand in for fallen officer at son's Little League game," 21 May 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.