<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A wedge-shaped block fastened to a surface to serve as a check or support: "He nailed cleats into the sides of the bookcase to keep the supports from slipping."</li><li>A strip of metal, wood, or the like, fastened across a surface, as a ramp or gangway, to provide sure footing or to maintain an object in place.</li><li>A strip of wood, metal, etc., fastened across a surface, as of a plank or series of adjacent planks, for strength or support.</li><li>A conical or rectangular projection, usually of hard rubber, or a metal strip with sharp projections, built into or attached to the sole of a shoe to provide greater traction.</li><li>A shoe fitted with such projections.</li><li>A metal plate fastened to the sole or heel of a shoe, to protect against wear.</li><li>Shipbuilding: a hook-shaped piece of metal supporting a small structural member.</li><li>Also called belaying cleat: an object of wood or metal having one or two projecting horns to which ropes may be belayed, especially as fixed to the deck, bulkhead, or stanchion of a vessel.</li><li>The cleavage plane of coal as found in a mine.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to supply or strengthen with cleats; fasten to or with a cleat.</li></ul>