cleat

American  

[kleet] / klit /

noun

• cleats
  plural

1. a wedge-shaped block fastened to a surface to serve as a check or support.

   He nailed cleats into the sides of the bookcase to keep the supports from slipping.

2. a strip of metal, wood, or the like, fastened across a surface, as a ramp or gangway, to provide sure footing or to maintain an object in place.

3. a strip of wood, metal, etc., fastened across a surface, as of a plank or series of adjacent planks, for strength or support.

4. a conical or rectangular projection, usually of hard rubber, or a metal strip with sharp projections, built into or attached to the sole of a shoe to provide greater traction.

5. a shoe fitted with such projections.

6. a metal plate fastened to the sole or heel of a shoe, to protect against wear.

7. Shipbuilding. a hook-shaped piece of metal supporting a small structural member.

8. Also called belaying cleat. Nautical. an object of wood or metal having one or two projecting horns to which ropes may be belayed, especially as fixed to the deck, bulkhead, or stanchion of a vessel.

9. the cleavage plane of coal as found in a mine.

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verb (used with object)

1. to supply or strengthen with cleats; fasten to or with a cleat.

cleat British  

/ kliːt /

noun

1. a wedge-shaped block, usually of wood, attached to a structure to act as a support

2. a device consisting of two hornlike prongs projecting horizontally in opposite directions from a central base, used for securing lines on vessels, wharves, etc

3. a short length of angle iron used as a bracket

4. a piece of metal, leather, etc, attached to the sole of a shoe to prevent wear or slipping

5. a small triangular-shaped nail used in glazing

6. any of the main cleavage planes in a coal seam

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verb

1. to supply or support with a cleat or cleats

2. to secure (a line) on a cleat

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cleats
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cleat

1350–1400; Middle English clete wedge, cognate with Old High German klōz lump, ball, Dutch kloot; akin to clot

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cleat cleats

Who’s going to be the brilliant video forensicist replaying Balogun’s red carded contact against the uncalled cleat of Leo Messi in Argentina’s opener?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Realmuto missed tagging Pages’ foot, the Dodgers center fielder’s cleat didn’t appear to touch the plate.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

I took off from second base but when I slid into third, I caught my cleat in the dirt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026

A French cleat is best for holding the artwork against the wall.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 22, 2024

Dad tossed a rope, which I hitched to the bow cleat.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Growing up in Quebec, the midfielder said he was fitted for hockey skates long before he tried on soccer cleats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

“Footballs everywhere, cleats everywhere, basketballs, jerseys,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

The Ohtani Economy strikes again: You don’t know us, but we’re coming to America, we want to help you sell your wares — and we’re selling Ohtani’s cleats!

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

So how does selling a pair of cleats create brand awareness for a brand consumers would not even know?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

I grab my cleats off the floor, loop my arm through my bag, and open the door.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

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