ˈkɹɛvɪs ˈfɪʃ.ə(ɹ) ˈfɪʃ.ɚ ˈsɪʃə(ɹ) having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midrib split or divided he had a cleft chin and strong jaw the infant was born with a double harelip and cleft palate a cleft stick a long narrow cleft a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)