VOOZH about

URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleat

⇱ CLEAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
    • To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Pope High School senior Noah Marbach played competitive soccer for about a decade and loved the competition, but an injury forced him to hang up his cleats. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Leondra Head, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 Ohtani scraped off the bottom of his cleats and struck out Hoskins for the final out of a dominant start. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026 The lady Patriots were gifted new Team Mahomes kits and cleats for the fall 2026 season, complete with the Team Mahomes signature Gladiator symbol. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Since hanging up his cleats, Brent Celek has pursued a career in real estate. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English clete wedge, from Old English *clΔ“at; akin to Middle High German klōz lump β€” 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

Rhymes for cleat

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œCleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleat. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

cleat

noun
ˈklΔ“t
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchβ€”ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged

More from Merriam-Webster