cleft lip

American  

noun

1. a congenitally deformed lip, usually the upper one, in which there is a vertical fissure that extends into one or both nostrils.

2. the deformity itself.

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cleft lip British  

noun

1. a congenital split in the upper lip, often associated with a cleft palate

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cleft lip Scientific  

/ klĕft /

1. A congenital deformity characterized by a vertical cleft or pair of clefts in the upper lip, with or without involvement of the palate.

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cleft lip Cultural  

1. A congenital defect in which the upper lip is not properly fused together, so that a narrow crack or fissure splits the lip. It can be repaired through plastic surgery.

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Sensitive Note

See harelip.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cleft lip

Three-month-old Sana, the youngest baby on the ward, has malnutrition, acute diarrhoea and a cleft lip.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2025

Worldwide, over one-third of all congenital anomalies relate to the development of a child's head or facial bones -- their craniofacial features -- a common example being having a cleft lip and/or palate.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2023

With my cleft lip scar and uneven nose, everyone knew I wasn't pretty.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2022

Kline cast performers who resemble comics characters more than movie stars, and highlights such physical attributes as acne, a cleft lip and a sweat-plastered comb-over.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 22, 2022

“He’s from Bangladesh. He has a cleft lip and palate. His parents sent him here to have surgery. He doesn’t speak any English.”

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio