cleavage meaning and definition

CLEAVAGE noun

Definition of cleavage (noun)

1. the state of being split or cleft
   • "there was a cleavage between the liberal and conservative members"
2. the breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules
3. (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum
   • synonyms: segmentation
4. the line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts)
5. the act of cleaving or splitting