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cleavage

noun
cleav·​age | \ ˈklÄ“-vij How to pronounce cleavage (audio) \

Definition of cleavage

1a : 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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about cleavage

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Deep cleavages are written in the history of nations. — Jakub Grygiel, National Review, "The Role of Values in Foreign Policy," 21 Aug. 2019 For all the feuds and cleavages in tennis, here is a statement that will lead to some common ground: The Olympic tennis event is fantastic. — SI.com, "One Year Out: What to Watch Ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," 24 July 2019 Along the line of Hooters, Twin Peaks is a national franchised chain whose female servers wear denim shorts and tied-off plaid tops that accentuate cleavage. — Michael Mayo, sun-sentinel.com, "Whiskey Tango closes in Hollywood, Twin Peaks (with new balcony bar?) on the way," 3 July 2019 This version will tame your cleavage, without adding an extra full layer of clothing. — Elizabeth Denton, Seventeen, "12 Curvy Girl Fashion Hacks to Get You Through Summer," 23 May 2019 Beckham’s peep-toe booties from her own label, which were fitted to the leg, revealed her toe cleavage only, allowing her fiery red nail polish to take center stage. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Victoria Beckham Has Found the Ultimate Way to Showcase a Pedicure," 9 May 2019 In that context, without a cigarette, without her flapper do, without the brick wall or the glowing light or the cleavage or the priest, the jumpsuit lost its mystique. — Soraya Roberts, Longreads, "Fashions Fade, But Fleabag Is Forever," 8 June 2019 Julia Orayen emerged onstage in a tight white dress with a plunging neckline that revealed lots of cleavage, in sharp contrast to the button-up dress shirt and black suit donned by the lone female contender for the presidency, Josefina Vazquez. — Fox News, "Mexico City bans use of attractive models during city events," 19 Aug. 2018 The bloc remains wary that some of the ethnic cleavages that sparked the conflicts of the 1990s persist. — Washington Post, "EU and Russia vie for influence in volatile Balkans region," 24 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cleavage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cleavage

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for cleavage

cleavage

noun
How to pronounce cleavage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cleavage

informal : the space between a woman's breasts especially when it can be easily seen
: a division between two things or groups
technical : the act of splitting apart

See the full definition for cleavage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cleavage

noun
cleav·​age | \ ˈklÄ“-vij How to pronounce cleavage (audio) \

Kids Definition of cleavage

1 : the tendency of a rock or mineral to split readily in one or more directions
2 : the action of splitting
3 : the state of being split

cleavage

noun
cleav·​age | \ ˈklÄ“-vij How to pronounce cleavage (audio) \

Medical Definition of cleavage

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleavage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cleavage

Spanish Central: Translation of cleavage

Nglish: Translation of cleavage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cleavage

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