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

His right handedness helps balance out a Red Sox lineup largely headlined by left-handed hitters, including Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025

Skeletons recovered from Henry VIII’s flagship Mary Rose suggest that handedness affects collar-bone chemistry and fracture risk. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl, who prepared for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in 2023 while with the Washington Commanders, said the biggest in-the-moment adjustment a defense needed to make against Tagovailoa’s handedness came when the Dolphins ran a true quick game. —Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024

Many sperm banks now provide clients with information on donors’ handedness. —Megan Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 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)