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
: partially split or divided
specifically
: divided about halfway to the midrib
a cleft leaf
Synonyms
Examples of cleft in a Sentence
Noun
The river begins as a trickle of water from a cleft in the rock.
He has a distinctive cleft in his chin.
Recent Examples on the Web
Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
This bacteria is commonly carried in the nostrils, between the legs, in the armpits, and in the cleft between the buttocks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
When spaces are left between the arches, certain branchial anomalies like branchial cleft cysts can develop.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune Well, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cleft 
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Noun
Now that she’s become well known not only for her art and fashion, but for being a cleft advocate, speaking around the country about her experience with a cleft lip and palate, Glasses has been traveling a lot for personal appearances, which leaves precious little time for weaving.
—Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
This bacteria is commonly carried in the nostrils, between the legs, in the armpits, and in the cleft between the buttocks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The Great FedEx Wall of fan-mail packages have comically cleft Jordan Mailata from the rest of the room.
—Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
When spaces are left between the arches, certain branchial anomalies like branchial cleft cysts can develop.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune Well, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cleft
Dictionary Entries Near cleft
Cite this Entry
“Cleft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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Medical Definition
cleft
noun1
: 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
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