CLEAT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cleat mean? 

• CLEAT (noun)
  The noun CLEAT has 3 senses:

1. a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping

2. a fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured

3. a strip of wood or metal used to strengthen the surface to which it is attached

  Familiarity information: CLEAT used as a noun is uncommon.

• CLEAT (verb)
  The verb CLEAT has 2 senses:

1. provide with cleats

2. secure on a cleat

  Familiarity information: CLEAT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLEAT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cleat" is a kind of...):

projection (any structure that branches out from a central support)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cleat"):

calk; calkin (a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping)

Holonyms ("cleat" is a part of...):

cleats (shoes with leather or metal projections on the soles)

Derivation:

cleat (provide with cleats)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cleat" is a kind of...):

fastener; fastening; fixing; holdfast (restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place)

Derivation:

cleat (secure on a cleat)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A strip of wood or metal used to strengthen the surface to which it is attached

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cleat" is a kind of...):

strip (thin piece of wood or metal)

• CLEAT (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide with cleats

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

cleat running shoes for better traction

Hypernyms (to "cleat" is one way to...):

furnish; provide; render; supply (give something useful or necessary to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

cleat (a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Secure on a cleat

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

cleat a line

Hypernyms (to "cleat" is one way to...):

fasten; fix; secure (cause to be firmly attached)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

cleat (a fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured)

 Context examples 

To prevent the butts of the masts from slipping on the deck, I nailed down thick cleats.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

By means of a secondary tackle I had attached to the shears, I swung the boom to a nearly perpendicular position, then lowered the butt to the deck, where, to prevent slipping, I spiked great cleats around it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)