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cleft lip
noun
: a birth defect characterized by one or more clefts in the upper lip resulting from failure of the embryonic parts of the lip to unite
Examples of cleft lip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the case of cleft lip and palate, the future of children’s faces are on the line.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
His Karya Alpha Omega Foundation provides free surgery for cataracts for thousands of Indonesians each year as well as for hernia and cleft lip repair.
—Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
During her time there, the model mom visited the homes of patients recovering from cleft palate or cleft lip procedures.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Garcia-Tolson, born with multiple birth defects that included a club foot, webbed fingers and a cleft lip and palate, braved 15 surgeries by age 5.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2023
He was born with a rare genetic disorder that affected the development of his legs and feet and resulted in a cleft lip and palate.
—Allison Torres Burtka, Outside Online, 22 Sep. 2022
On April 13, 1984 — seven months before the first of the wells were shut down — Ann Johnson gave birth to a baby girl named Jacquetta, who had a cleft lip, a cleft palate and brain stem issues.
—Anna Schecter, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023
And hot weather may affect a baby’s development in other ways: A 2021 analysis found a higher incidence of anomalies, such as cardiac defects, spina bifida, or cleft lip, at higher temperatures.
—WIRED, 2 Aug. 2023
The disorder can lead to intellectual disability and physical abnormalities such as extra fingers and toes or a cleft lip.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cleft lip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1882, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cleft lip
Cite this Entry
“Cleft lip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft%20lip. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
cleft lip
noun
: one or more splits in the upper lip that occur as a birth defect
Medical Definition
cleft lip
noun
: a birth defect characterized by one or more clefts in the upper lip resulting from failure of the embryonic parts of the lip to unite
called also cheiloschisis
More from Merriam-Webster on cleft lip
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cleft lip
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