1. The act of cleaving or splitting
   "The cleavage of the rock revealed a vein of gold"
    
2. A division or split between groups, especially in politics or society
   "there was a cleavage between the liberal and conservative members"
    
3. (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum
   "The cleavage of the zygote is the first step in embryonic development";
   - segmentation
    
4. The breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules
   "The cleavage of water molecules is an important step in many chemical reactions"
    
5. The line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts)
   "Her low-cut dress revealed ample cleavage"

Derived forms: cleavages

Type of: area, cell division, cellular division, chemical action, chemical change, chemical process, division, region, state

Part of: gestation, gravidation [archaic], gravidity [technical], maternity, pregnancy

Encyclopedia: Cleavage