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

Examples of handedness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The outcome depended on the molecule’s handedness, the rotation of the light beams, and their relative phase shift, showing that electron dynamics can now be both observed and actively controlled. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025

Her grandfather, Mikhail Alexandrovich, immediately sets about beating the left-handedness out of her, and occasionally chasing her with an axe. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025

Adding McMahon makes the Yankees a bit unbalanced in lineup handedness, something Boone obsesses over. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 July 2025

What’s more, the researchers want to study whether the subject’s native language or dominant handedness affect the results, which might be important for clinical applications. —Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)