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

Rather than directly determining whether someone becomes left- or right-eyed, genetic factors may bias the strength and developmental expression of lateral preferences in ways similar to handedness. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

The study measured handedness using something called the Mean Handedness Index (MHI), where positive numbers indicate right-hand preference. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026

The deal for a player many have compared to Wild captain Jared Spurgeon because of his 5-foot-9 frame and right-handedness starts in 2026-27 and will pay him $877,500 when in the NHL with a $45,000 games played bonus. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

The issue with sending down Hart is both his handedness and his status as their long reliever. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

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)