Definition of cleave - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
split aparttr. split or sever something along a natural linetr.
- He used an axe to cleave the log in two..
2.
loyaltyintr. Dated adhere or cling firmly to somethingintr. Dated
- She cleaved to her beliefs despite criticism.
3.
traversetr. penetrate or move through somethingtr.
- The ship cleaved the icy waters.
Noun
1.
separationdivision or split in something
- The cleave in the rock was deep.
2.
technologyTECH. flat surface created by splittingTECH.
- The cleave of the crystal was perfectly smooth.
Images of cleave

flat surface created by splitting
Expressions with cleave
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
cut away or separate from a whole
He used a knife to cleave off a piece of meat.
make a path by cutting or forcing through something
The explorers cleave a way through the thick jungle.
stay very close or loyal to someone or something
She will always cleave to her family.
Origin of cleave
Old English, cleofan (to split)
Examples of cleave in a sentence
The warrior's sword cleaved through the air. He cleaved to his family traditions. They cleave to their principles no matter what. The skier cleaved through fresh powder. Sunlight cleaved the fog over the valley. The cleave between the two factions was irreparable.
A cleave appeared in the ice after the storm. The gem's cleave revealed its inner beauty. A precise cleave is crucial in semiconductor manufacturing.
View all translations of cleave
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:fendre, fissure, ...
- German:spalten, Riss, ...
- Italian:spaccare, spaccatura, ...
- Spanish:hender, grieta, ...
- Portuguese:fender, fenda, ...
- Chinese:劈开, 裂缝, ...
- Japanese:割る, 裂け目, ...
- Arabic:شَقَّ, شَقّ, ...
- Hebrew:לְבַקֵּעַ, בְּקִיעַ, ...
- Russian:разрубить, раскол, ...
- Ukrainian:розколоти, розкол, ...
- Hindi:फाड़ना, दरार, ...
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