lateralization
noun
lat·er·al·i·za·tion
ˌla-tə-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌla-trə-
: localization of function or activity on one side of the body in preference to the other
Examples of lateralization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Your coworkers can thank your brain’s remarkable lateralization for that.
—
Sharon Moalem, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2014
This network covered various frontal, higher-order parietal and subcortical regions, mainly precuneus, angular gyrus, cingulate gyrus and frontal pole with right hemispheric lateralization bias.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2018
The reason usually given for the right-handers-only policy is that non-right-handed people are more likely to have atypical brain lateralization of language.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2019
Development of lateralization of the magnetic compass in a migratory bird.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2012
In horses and cattle, hair whorls have been shown to act as a structural marker of reactivity and behavioral lateralization.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2012
David Stark of New York-Presbyterian Hospital recently found additional clues about lateralization in his studies of 112 different regions in the brains of volunteers.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2014
Most researchers believe that lateralization explains how handedness arises, including our consistent 9-1 right-handedness ratio.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2018
One of the most popular explanations for lateralization, which is the term given to this phenomenon, is that each side of our brain has evolved for functional specialization.
—Sharon Moalem, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2014
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sharon Moalem, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2014
This network covered various frontal, higher-order parietal and subcortical regions, mainly precuneus, angular gyrus, cingulate gyrus and frontal pole with right hemispheric lateralization bias.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2018
The reason usually given for the right-handers-only policy is that non-right-handed people are more likely to have atypical brain lateralization of language.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2019
Development of lateralization of the magnetic compass in a migratory bird.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2012
In horses and cattle, hair whorls have been shown to act as a structural marker of reactivity and behavioral lateralization.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2012
David Stark of New York-Presbyterian Hospital recently found additional clues about lateralization in his studies of 112 different regions in the brains of volunteers.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2014
Most researchers believe that lateralization explains how handedness arises, including our consistent 9-1 right-handedness ratio.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2018
One of the most popular explanations for lateralization, which is the term given to this phenomenon, is that each side of our brain has evolved for functional specialization.
—Sharon Moalem, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Lateralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lateralization. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lateralization
noun
lat·er·al·iza·tion
variants
also British lateralisation
: localization of function or activity (as of verbal processes in the brain) on one side of the body in preference to the other
lateralize
transitive verb
also British lateralise
lateralized also British lateralised; lateralizing also British lateralising
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share