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
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
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Plowshare: an agricultural implement for turning soil, for gouging a cleft in the earth.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specializing in cleft surgery and care.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleft
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Noun
Doctors couldn't tell her how severe the cleft would be or any other complications that may be involved with Benji's diagnosis.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Plowshare: an agricultural implement for turning soil, for gouging a cleft in the earth.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Adjective
At the time, Kristina explained that the option felt confusing and overwhelming due to a lack of knowledge of a cleft diagnosis and how that would affect her son Benji.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specializing in cleft surgery and care.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleft
Cite this Entry
“Cleft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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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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