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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
In the case of cleft lip and palate, the future of children’s faces are on the line.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
His Karya Alpha Omega Foundation provides free surgery for cataracts for thousands of Indonesians each year as well as for hernia and cleft lip repair.
—Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
During her time there, the model mom visited the homes of patients recovering from cleft palate or cleft lip procedures.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Garcia-Tolson, born with multiple birth defects that included a club foot, webbed fingers and a cleft lip and palate, braved 15 surgeries by age 5.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for cleft lip
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cleft lip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1882, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cleft lip
Cite this Entry
“Cleft lip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft%20lip. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on cleft lip
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cleft lip
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