handedness
noun
hand·ed·ness
ˈhan-dəd-nəs 
1
: a tendency to use one hand rather than the other
2
a
: the property of an object (such as a molecule) of not being identical with its mirror image : chirality
b
: either of the two configurations of an object that may exist in forms which are nonidentical mirror images
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite his handedness, Lovullo sees Fletcher as the type of player who can deal with left-handed pitching better than most.
—
The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2023
For many years, scientists thought that handedness was unique to humans.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2021
Another theory, published in May, suggests the left-hand bias arose on Earth: After life emerged in a mix of mirror-image forms, the radiation of cosmic ray showers in the atmosphere, which has its own inherent handedness, offered an evolutionary advantage to organisms with left-handed proteins.
—Joshua Sokol, Science | AAAS, 13 Aug. 2020
Perhaps, too, the Mavericks finally showed their short-handedness, missing three key rotation players.
—Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2023
Left-handedness serves as an apt underlying metaphor for this book.
—Heller Mcalpin, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2022
Haines, McCabe and Birch help run a solidaric group known as the British Left Handed Golfers Association, or B.L.H.G.A., a decades-old society that aims to promote left-handedness in a sport whose sinistral figures don’t necessarily reflect those of everyday society.
—Jack Williams, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2022
His play aside, George credited Lue’s even-handedness for helping the Clippers buy into the game plan that helped force the Jazz to miss all 10 of their 3-point attempts in the third quarter after shooting a combined 17-of-30 in the first half.
—Mark Medina, USA TODAY, 17 June 2021
But a new type of robot, developed by researchers at a pair of Dutch universities and put to work for the first time recently in real-life surgeries, could add some sure-handedness in future operating rooms.
—Mclean Bennett, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2020
See More
The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2023
For many years, scientists thought that handedness was unique to humans.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2021
Another theory, published in May, suggests the left-hand bias arose on Earth: After life emerged in a mix of mirror-image forms, the radiation of cosmic ray showers in the atmosphere, which has its own inherent handedness, offered an evolutionary advantage to organisms with left-handed proteins.
—Joshua Sokol, Science | AAAS, 13 Aug. 2020
Perhaps, too, the Mavericks finally showed their short-handedness, missing three key rotation players.
—Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2023
Left-handedness serves as an apt underlying metaphor for this book.
—Heller Mcalpin, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2022
Haines, McCabe and Birch help run a solidaric group known as the British Left Handed Golfers Association, or B.L.H.G.A., a decades-old society that aims to promote left-handedness in a sport whose sinistral figures don’t necessarily reflect those of everyday society.
—Jack Williams, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2022
His play aside, George credited Lue’s even-handedness for helping the Clippers buy into the game plan that helped force the Jazz to miss all 10 of their 3-point attempts in the third quarter after shooting a combined 17-of-30 in the first half.
—Mark Medina, USA TODAY, 17 June 2021
But a new type of robot, developed by researchers at a pair of Dutch universities and put to work for the first time recently in real-life surgeries, could add some sure-handedness in future operating rooms.
—Mclean Bennett, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handedness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near handedness
Cite this Entry
“Handedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handedness. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
handedness
noun
hand·ed·ness
-nəs
1
: a tendency to use one hand rather than the other
2
: the property of an object (as a molecule) of not being identical with its mirror image
3
: the property of having either a clockwise or counterclockwise motion (as the corkscrew movement of some microorganisms or their flagella or cilia)
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