1. (

• cleavage

) the state of being split or cleft; "there was a cleavage between the liberal and conservative members" ;

2. (

• cleavage ,

) the breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules ;

3. (

• cleavage ,
• segmentation

) (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum ;

4. (

• cleavage

) the line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts) ;

5. (

• cleavage

) the act of cleaving or splitting ;