What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
cleave to
Definition of cleave to
formal + literary
1 : to stay very close to (someone) children cleaving to their families
2 : to stick closely to (something) —usually used figuratively He continued to cleave to the beliefs of his childhood.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
cleaveplay
: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
: to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views
: to subject to chemical cleavage
See the full definition of cleave
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up cleave to? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!