cleat

1 of 2

noun

ˈklēt 

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

Noun

Despite the new deal, Campbell walked into his news conference still sweating from a workout and wearing a black sleeveless shirt, shorts and socks while holding high-top cleats and a bottle of water. —CBS News, 28 May 2026

Both have joined the financial backing of a new Fair Trade Certified soccer cleat. —Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 26 May 2026

In a show of the AE 1’s popularity, Adidas released an Anthony Edwards 1 football cleat in May 2026. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Episode 2 concludes with Dennis finding Paula’s daughter Hazel’s cleats, which had been accidentally tossed outside Trevor’s home. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 24 May 2026

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

Rhymes for cleat

• beat
• beet
• bleat
• cheat
• creat
• deet
• eat
• feat
• feet
• fleet
• greet
• heat

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