right-hand

1 of 2

adjective

1
: situated on the right
2
3
: chiefly relied on
his right-hand man

right hand

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the hand on a person's right side
b
: an indispensable person
2
a
: the right side
b
: a place of honor

Examples of right-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Tellingly, in the upper right-hand corner, Ruscha added a cheap Western cowboy magazine, its rowdy narrative of American manifest destiny having been torn in two. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 There are no fewer than four different scenes in the movie where his right-hand man advises him to make a rational decision of some kind, only for Wulf to immediately — often in the very next breath — opt for the rash and violent route instead. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
Bruno Surace scored a shocking sixth-round KO win over Jaime Munguia on the strength of one powerful straight right hand. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 Startled awake, mom discovers her son is shot As Givens snapped awake, her son Destin was screaming, his right hand bleeding. John Diedrich, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for right-hand 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of right-hand was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near right-hand

Cite this Entry

“Right-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right-hand. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

right-hand

adjective
ˈrīt-ˌhand
1
: located on the right
2
3
: relied on most of all
right-hand man

Medical Definition

right-hand

1 of 2 adjective
1
: situated on the right
2

right hand

2 of 2 noun
1
: the hand on a person's right side
2
: the right side

More from Merriam-Webster on right-hand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!