cleat

[ kleet ]

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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

cleat

/ 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

verb

1. to supply or support with a cleat or cleats
2. to secure (a line) on a cleat

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleat¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleat¹

C14: of Germanic origin, compare Old High German chlōz clod, lump, Dutch kloot ball

Example Sentences

So, sensing the opportunity might actually arise, Buehler headed to the clubhouse to put on his cleats.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers donate memorabilia from their World Series win over the Yankees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, including Freddie Freeman’s cleats.

From Los Angeles Times

Treinen was hardly quaking in his cleats, despite the fine mess he had gotten himself into.

From Los Angeles Times

“They looked the same as everyone else’s cleats, but they smelled different and when you put them on you felt different,” says Andrade.

From Los Angeles Times

“You just shift everything back a few hours and you just get ready. Put your cleats on, put your helmet on and go play, you know?”

From Los Angeles Times