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)
cleated; cleating; cleats
Examples of cleat in a Sentence
Noun
a football player wearing cleats
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Her red carpet turn — where she’s nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete and also serves as an ESPYs board member — showed her just as comfortable trading cleats for high fashion.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
His first big break came in 2017 within the world of handball and then in soccer in 2018 when a pair of cleats featuring Marvel’s Hulk got noticed.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Darren Waller wanted to play in the NFL again – just not for the Giants.
Waller, 32, who hung up his cleats after one 2023 season in New York, un-retired to facilitate a trade to the Miami Dolphins that became official last week.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleat
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Noun
In most sports, new equipment means plunking down on a new bat, stick, or pair of cleats.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Her red carpet turn — where she’s nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete and also serves as an ESPYs board member — showed her just as comfortable trading cleats for high fashion.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
His first big break came in 2017 within the world of handball and then in soccer in 2018 when a pair of cleats featuring Marvel’s Hulk got noticed.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Darren Waller wanted to play in the NFL again – just not for the Giants.
Waller, 32, who hung up his cleats after one 2023 season in New York, un-retired to facilitate a trade to the Miami Dolphins that became official last week.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleat
Cite this Entry
“Cleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleat. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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