cleft palate

noun

: congenital fissure of the roof of the mouth

Examples of cleft palate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two-month-old Onyxx Cooley was born with a cleft palate but apparently otherwise healthy. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025 Mary! Fun fact about this sweet girl: She was born with a cleft palate. Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025 There’s one story of a boy with a cleft palate who adopted a dog that had a cleft palate too. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Apr. 2025 The organization provides free surgeries for children with cleft palate and similar birth defects. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cleft palate

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleft palate was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Cleft palate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft%20palate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cleft palate

noun
: a split in the roof of the mouth that occurs as a birth defect

Medical Definition

cleft palate

noun
: congenital fissure of the roof of the mouth produced by failure of the two maxillae to unite during embryonic development and often associated with cleft lip

called also palatoschisis

More from Merriam-Webster on cleft palate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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