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

Now that she’s become well known not only for her art and fashion, but for being a cleft advocate, speaking around the country about her experience with a cleft lip and palate, Glasses has been traveling a lot for personal appearances, which leaves precious little time for weaving. —Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024

Holly herself was born with a cleft lip and palate. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

The Yellowjackets star, 29, who is currently pregnant with her first baby with husband Christian DeAnda, posted a video on her TikTok on Wednesday, Sept. 25, sharing that her baby boy will born with a cleft lip. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Her mother, Deanna Majchrzak, knew from prenatal testing that Delaney would have some issues ― cleft lip and palate, for example. —Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

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