Cleavage - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT cleavage /ˈklivɪdʒ/ /ˈklivɪdʒ/ IPA guide

Other forms: cleavages

Cleavage is a word for a kind of splitting or separation: it's mainly used for the split between a woman's breasts.

We can talk about many kinds of cleavage, such as the splitting of a cell or a hunk of wood. Political movements will often have a cleavage, as differences of opinion create factions. This word is interesting because cleavage is not only a separation, but it can mean a bringing together. When you think of the cleavage created by a woman's breasts — stop staring, by the way — you can see the separation and bringing together very well.

Definitions of cleavage

noun the act of cleaving or splitting see moresee less type of: division the act or process of dividing
noun the breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules see moresee less type of: chemical action, chemical change, chemical process (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved
noun (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum synonyms: segmentation see moresee less type of: cell division, cellular division the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form daughter cells
noun the state of being split or cleft “there was a cleavage between the liberal and conservative members” see moresee less type of: state the way something is with respect to its main attributes
noun the line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts) see moresee less type of: area, region a part of an animal that has a special function or is supplied by a given artery or nerve

Pronunciation US /ˈklivɪdʒ/ UK /ˈklivɪdʒ/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cleavage'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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