Sailor Speak of the Week – Cleat

Definition

Noun

• A piece of wood or metal (usually with protruding “horns”) to which a line can be tied around (i.e. made fast).

Origin

From Old English, the same word and meaning

Comments

There are a variety of different types of cleats and they can be made of different materials. They are almost always used as an anchor point to tie a line off. Go to any marina and you’ll likely see the dock or pier lined with cleats for people to secure their boats to.

References

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.