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

Advertisement The homeowner-renter divide was the survey’s most significant social cleavage in attitudes toward the construction of affordable housing, rent control and universal basic income, mattering more than differences in race, income and education. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

Fat has evolved into something of a commodity in the world of aesthetic medicine, where there’s a growing appreciation for its ability to augment—boosting volume, for example, in the cleavage or cheeks (either set)—and to improve skin quality. —Taryn Brooke, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024

In this delightfully campy madcap comedy, Elvira heads to small-town Massachusetts to receive an inheritance from her dead aunt, only to find out that the villagers aren’t fans of her cleavage, nor of her penchant for double entendre. —Samantha Allen, Them, 15 Oct. 2024

The goal was to be able to wear backless dresses or go out and not have to feel self-conscious about my boobs and my cleavage but still look womanly. —Lawrence Yee, Peoplemag, 31 July 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