cleavage

noun

cleav·​age ˈklē-vij 

1

a

: the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes

also : the occurrence of such splitting

b

: a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting

2

: the action of cleaving or splitting : the state of being cleft

3

: the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo

also : one of these cell divisions

4

: the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules

5

: the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline

Synonyms

• bifurcation
• breakup
• dissolution
• disunion
• division
• fractionalization
• fractionation
• partition
• schism
• scission
• separation
• split
• sundering

Examples of cleavage in a Sentence

The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.

the cleavage between the rich and poor

the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops

Recent Examples on the Web

Lauren Sánchez and conservatives’ cleavage cravings … an oral history of Twin Peaks … the Mitford sister who loved Hitler … Audrey Hepburn’s granddaughter is making Surrealist paintings in Italy … Is Pappy Van Winkle bourbon worth the price tag? —airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025

According to the odds, the favorites are Beyonce wearing a cowboy hat and opening her playbook with some cleavage! Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

While all were Democratic-Republicans, the party had internal divisions that would eventually split into a new party system by the 1828 election, and the votes in the House largely followed these cleavages. —Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024

That means observing the dress code of no bare shoulders, excessive cleavage, or shorts or skirts above the knees, and no hats inside. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cleavage

• discoidal cleavage
• radial cleavage
• spiral cleavage

Kids Definition

cleavage

noun

cleav·​age ˈklē-vij 

1

: the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting in definite directions

2

: the action of cleaving : the state of being cleaved

3

: the series of mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that changes the single cell into a many-celled embryo

Medical Definition

cleavage

noun

cleav·​age ˈklē-vij 

1

: the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of the fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo

also : one of these cell divisions

2

: the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules