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

The other featured a daringly low V neckline that showed more than a hint of cleavage and a thigh-high slit in the center. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Will Beyonce be wearing a Stetson cowboy hat, or will her outfit show some of her assets, body and cleavage? —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

The milk drinker is on her knees with her cleavage out. —Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024

There was also a circular cut-out just under her cleavage to up the it-factor for the special event at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 9. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

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