1. splits or cuts something apart, especially along a natural line
Usage: third person singular present of ‘cleave’
2. sticks closely to something; adheres firmly
Usage: third person singular present of ‘cleave’; formal or literary

Examples

• The axe cleaves the wood in half with one swing.
• Lightning cleaves the dark sky during the storm.
• The ship cleaves through the waves at high speed.
• She cleaves to her family traditions despite living abroad.
• The ivy cleaves to the brick wall of the old building.
• He cleaves the diamond along its natural fault line.