cleft

noun \ ˈkleft \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of cleft

1 : a space or opening made by or as if by splitting : fissure

2 : a usually V-shaped indented formation : a hollow between ridges or protuberances

the anal cleft of the human body

See cleft defined for English-language learners

See cleft defined for kids

Examples of cleft in a Sentence

The river begins as a trickle of water from a cleft in the rock.
He has a distinctive cleft in his chin.

Recent Examples of cleft from the Web

Hattie received surgery for her cleft lip and palate at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the same place Brian had gotten his own surgery nearly 40 years earlier.

— janie fulling, USA TODAY, "Dad with cleft lip adopts baby just like him," 17 June 2017
Margetis, who graduated from the community college in May, was born with schizencephaly, a rare birth defect that causes abnormal slits or clefts on the brain.

— libby elliott, chicagotribune.com, "Oakton grad creates pamphlet to promote area food pantries," 12 June 2017
Jasmaine was born with a bilateral cleft lip, a birth defect that occurs when the lips or other parts of the mouth don't fuse together, leaving an opening.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "'I miss her a lot:' West Bank teen accused in sister's accidental shooting death," 19 July 2017
During his career, he's worked on cases ranging from gunshot wounds to the face, to children with deformed cleft palates.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "Beaumont plastic surgeon takes cases others said couldn't be done," 15 July 2017
Rock Springs Run: The crystal-clear waters that bubble from a rock cleft at Kelly Park near Apopka provide a beautiful and cool stream that is a popular spot with tubers and swimmers.

— amelia cheatham, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bacteria shuts down Rock Springs, Orange County officials say," 6 July 2017
For example, there is a persistent myth in some Latino cultures, that if a pregnant woman goes outside during the eclipse, her baby will be born with a cleft palate.

— lizzy acker, OregonLive.com, "No, there won't be a sex party on the Madras High football field (and other Oregon eclipse rumors, debunked)," 14 Aug. 2017
This was when the researchers swabbed the children’s gingival sulci (the clefts between teeth and gums, in which bacteria collect) to find out what was there.

— The Economist, "Dental healthA child’s genes do not assist bacteria that cause tooth decay," 21 Sep. 2017
How can others learn more about Smile Train and help children with clefts?

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Kylie Jenner Opens Up About Helping Children with Clefts Through Smile Train: 'I Am Forever Grateful'," 6 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cleft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cleft

Middle English clift, from Old English geclyft; akin to Old English clēofan to cleave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

cleft Synonyms

Synonyms

check, chink, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure, rift, split

Related Words

crevasse; craze, hairline; fracture, rupture; breach, gap, opening; cut, gash, incision, slit

cleft

adjective

Definition of cleft

: partially split or divided; specifically : divided about halfway to the midrib

a cleft leaf

Origin and Etymology of cleft

Middle English, from past participle of cleven

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

CLEFT Defined for English Language Learners

cleft

noun

Definition of cleft for English Language Learners

: a narrow space in the surface of something
: a narrow area that looks like a small dent in someone's chin

CLEFT Defined for Kids

cleft

noun \ ˈkleft \

Definition of cleft for Students

1 : a space or opening made by splitting or cracking : crevice

2 : ¹notch 1

cleft

adjective

Definition of cleft for Students

: partly split or divided

Medical Dictionary

cleft

noun \ ˈkleft \

medical Definition of cleft

1 : a usually abnormal fissure or opening especially when resulting from failure of parts to fuse during embryonic development

2 : a usually V-shaped indented formation : a hollow between ridges or protuberances

the anal cleft of the human body

3 : the hollow space between the two branches of the frog or the frog and bars or between the bulbs of the heel of a horse's hoof

4 : a crack on the bend of the pastern of a horse

5 : a division of the cleft foot of an animal

6 : synaptic cleft

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See words that rhyme with cleft Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cleft Spanish Central: Translation of cleft Nglish: Translation of cleft for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cleft for Arabic speakers

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cleft

Definition of cleft

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Examples of cleft in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cleft from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cleft

cleft Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

cleft

Definition of cleft

Origin and Etymology of cleft

Other Botany Terms

CLEFT Defined for English Language Learners

cleft

Definition of cleft for English Language Learners

CLEFT Defined for Kids

cleft

Definition of cleft for Students

cleft

Definition of cleft for Students

Medical Dictionary

cleft

medical Definition of cleft

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