cleft

1 of 3

noun

ˈkleft 

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

cleft

2 of 3

adjective

: partially split or divided

specifically : divided about halfway to the midrib

a cleft leaf

cleft

3 of 3

past tense and past participle of cleave entry 2

Synonyms of cleft

Noun

• fissure
• crevice

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

Noun

Reaching the beach requires descending a narrow ladder through a cleft in the rock, making the arrival nearly as memorable as the snorkeling itself. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

From his flat top, cleft chin, starched collar, and tight shirt to the crease in his trousers tucked into black boots. — Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026

Adjective

The same scalpel or bone saw that cut a human also cleft sheep, horses, pigs and other animals in distress. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

The condition can draw stares and affect eating, breathing, hearing and speaking, according to Smile Train, a nonprofit that provides free cleft surgery and care to children across the world. — Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English clift, from Old English geclyft; akin to Old English clēofan to cleave

Adjective

Middle English, from past participle of cleven

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleft

• cleft lip
• cleft palate
• gill cleft

Rhymes for cleft

• deft
• heft
• left
• theft
• bereft

Kids Definition

cleft

1 of 2 noun

ˈkleft 

1

: a space or opening made by splitting : crevice

2

: a hollow resembling a cleft

cleft

2 of 2 adjective

: partially split or divided

a cleft wood

Medical Definition

cleft

noun

ˈkleft 

1

: 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

: synaptic cleft