Definition of "cleat" [cleat]

• A strip of wood or iron used to strengthen or support the surface to which it is attached. (noun)
• A projecting piece of metal or hard rubber attached to the underside of a shoe to provide traction. (noun)
• A pair of shoes with such projections on the soles. (noun)
• A piece of metal or wood having projecting arms or ends on which a rope can be wound or secured. (noun)
• A wedge-shaped piece of material, such as wood, that is fastened onto something, such as a spar, to act as a support or prevent slippage. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• ""A man might or might not have many reasons for calling a cleat a timber noggin besides that of not knowing any better than to do so," I responded."
• "[Footnote: The cleat is a T-shaped mass of metal employed for the fastening of ropes.]"
• "In even small crashes I’ve had riders break a cleat or a buckle on their shoes."