cleft palate

American  

noun

• cleft palates
  plural

1. a congenital defect of the palate in which a longitudinal fissure exists in the roof of the mouth, often associated with a cleft lip.

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cleft palate British  

noun

1. a congenital crack or fissure in the midline of the hard palate, often associated with a harelip

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cleft palate Scientific  

1. Incomplete closure of the palate during development of an embryo, resulting in a split along part or all of the roof of the mouth.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cleft palates
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cleft palate

First recorded in 1840–50

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cleft palate

When she was five months pregnant, ultrasound examinations revealed that the fetus had a cleft palate, a brain cyst, and heart defects.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

Reported problems include spina bifida, cleft palate, and a range of intellectual, communication, behavior and memory disorders.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2025

Schimberg, who became friends with Pearson during “Chained for Life,” also drew from his own experience with a cleft palate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2024

Take lamotrigine, for instance: In the early 2000s, animal trials indicated that it could increase conditions like cleft palate, but later studies found no such link, reassuring clinicians.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2024

They told Mom and Dad I had a cleft palate and some other stuff going on.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

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