cleat
The term refers to specialized hardware designed for grip or stability across three distinct domains: maritime, athletic, and construction. In a nautical context, it is a fixed point for securing lines, whereas in athletics, it refers to the studs on the bottom of a shoe. In carpentry, it serves as a structural support or a stop.
In North American English, the word is frequently used as a synecdoche to refer to the entire shoe itself (e.g., "put on your cleats"), rather than just the protrusions on the sole. This usage is common in sports like soccer, football, and baseball.
Meanings
A T-shaped or horn-shaped piece of metal or wood fixed to a deck, dock, or wall for securing a rope.
The sailor tied the mooring line to the cleat on the pier.
A protrusion on the sole of a shoe, typically made of plastic or metal, designed to provide grip on soft or slippery surfaces.
The soccer player's cleats dug into the turf to prevent slipping.