Definition

1. Noun:

   • A strip of wood or metal used to strengthen a surface: A cleat is a piece of material fastened to a surface to provide reinforcement or support.
   • A fastener with projecting horns for securing a rope: A cleat is a device, often with two projecting ends, used to tie off or secure a rope, commonly found on boats and docks.
   • A metal or leather projection on a shoe or surface to prevent slipping: A cleat is a protrusion on the sole of a shoe or on a surface designed to provide grip and prevent sliding.

2. Verb:

   • To secure something on a cleat: To fasten or tie something, especially a rope, onto a cleat.
   • To provide with cleats: To attach cleats to an object, such as shoes or a surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The carpenter added a wooden cleat to the back of the shelf for extra strength.
  • The sailor tied the mooring line securely to the cleat on the dock.
  • The soccer player's cleats dug into the muddy field, giving him excellent traction.

• Verb:

  • Please cleat that line before we depart.
  • The manufacturer will cleat these work boots for better safety.

Advanced Usage

• "To cleat off": To secure a rope completely by winding it around a cleat.
  • After docking, the captain instructed the crew to cleat off all lines.

Variants and Related Words

• Cleated (adj): Fitted or equipped with cleats.
  • The cleated surface of the ramp prevented accidents.
• Cleating (n/gerund): The act or process of attaching cleats.
  • The cleating of the deck was done by a professional.

Synonyms

• Noun (for fastener): Cleat, bitt, bollard.
• Noun (for traction device): Stud, spike, lug.
• Verb (to secure): Fasten, secure, tie off, make fast.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cleat down: To fasten something firmly using a cleat.
  • Cleat down the tarp so it doesn't blow away in the storm.

Related Idioms

• "On a cleat": Securely fastened; often used metaphorically to mean something is settled or finalized.
  • Don't worry, the deal is on a cleat.

Noun

1. a strip of wood or metal used to strengthen the surface to which it is attached
2. a fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured
3. a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping

Verb

1. secure on a cleat
   • cleat a line
2. provide with cleats
   • cleat running shoes for better traction