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 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 He was born with a rare genetic disorder that affected the development of his legs and feet and resulted in a cleft lip and palate. Allison Torres Burtka, Outside Online, 22 Sep. 2022 On April 13, 1984 — seven months before the first of the wells were shut down — Ann Johnson gave birth to a baby girl named Jacquetta, who had a cleft lip, a cleft palate and brain stem issues. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023 And hot weather may affect a baby’s development in other ways: A 2021 analysis found a higher incidence of anomalies, such as cardiac defects, spina bifida, or cleft lip, at higher temperatures. WIRED, 2 Aug. 2023 The disorder can lead to intellectual disability and physical abnormalities such as extra fingers and toes or a cleft lip. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 June 2023 Alexander Yefimovich waited for the call from the surgeon and was informed that all was well—the baby girl was without defects, or at least without a cleft lip. Lyudmila Ulitskaya, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023 Children with cleft lips and palates were receiving free surgeries and after-care support, as were children who needed shelter, food, clothing and other medical care. Suzette Hackney, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2023

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleft lip was circa 1882

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 19 Mar. 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

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