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

Her work includes the transformation of 24-year-old Macy’s cleft lip. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025

Using the steroid prednisone during pregnancy, for example, may cause a cleft lip or palate birth defect. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

According to her professional bio, she’s worked as an orthodontics specialist since 1991 and specializes in treating orthodontic defects like crowded teeth and cleft lips. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 12 July 2025

Her husband, Robert Seibert, also marked a milestone for the state as its first pediatric otolaryngologist, and developed the cleft lip and palate program at Arkansas Children's Hospital. —Keelin Fisher, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cleft lip

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• courtship
• equip
• filmstrip
• flagship
• gunship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship

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