cleat

1 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
If the next Padres manager is someone who walked for many years in baseball cleats bigger than his own and qualifies as family, here’s predicting Machado would have an extra bounce to his step for a while. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025 Someone who can translate complex information into something real—someone who’s walked in your cleats. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025 The top strap keeps your foot nestled deep in the shoe, and a setback cleat position works with the internal shank for better flex, pedaling, and comfort. Will Porter, Outside, 14 Oct. 2025 Mullen was 29-6 before Marco Wilson hurled a cleat and 5-9 after it. Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cleat

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleat was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Cleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleat. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cleat

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