chiral

adjective

chi·​ral ˈkī-rəl 

: of or relating to a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image

chirality

kī-ˈra-lə-tē 

kə-

noun

Examples of chiral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When electrons move through a chiral structure, the structure can favor one direction of electron spin over the other. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

Not everyone counts these different chiral and polarization states as distinct particle types. — Quanta Magazine, 15 June 2026

Traditional biosignature approaches focus on searching for specific compounds, such as certain amino acids or lipid structures, or for chiral preferences, like left-handedness. — Amirali Aghazadeh, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

Their alarm stemmed from the fact that, because natural life is chiral, interactions between natural organisms and mirror bacteria would be profoundly unpredictable. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

chir- + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chiral

• chiral center

Rhymes for chiral

• spiral
• viral
• adenoviral
• antiretroviral
• antiviral
• retroviral

Medical Definition

chiral

adjective

chi·​ral ˈkī-rəl 

1

a

of a molecule : having a structure that is nonsuperimposable on its mirror image

chiral molecules

b

: relating to or composed of chiral molecules

In discussions of chiral drugs, thalidomide is sometimes cited as a prime example of a drug that differs strikingly in the properties of its two enantiomers.

—Stephen C. Stinson, Chemical & Engineering News

2

: of, relating to, or being a chiral center

chirality

kī-ˈral-ət-ē 

noun

plural chiralities