chirality

American  

[kahy-ral-i-ti] / kaɪˈræl ɪ tɪ /

noun

plural

chiralities

1. Chemistry. the configuration of a structure (especially a molecule) that has a mirror image not identical to itself, the two images being described as right-hand and left-hand forms, which are not superposable; the quality of a figure that is chiral.

---

chirality British  

/ kaɪˈrælɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: dissymmetry.  the configuration or handedness (left or right) of an asymmetric, optically active chemical compound

---

chirality Scientific  

/ kī-răl′ĭ-tē /

1. The characteristic of a structure (usually a molecule) that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image.

2. Also called handedness

3. See also helicity invariance optical isomer

---

Other Word Forms

• achirality noun
• chiral adjective

Etymology

Origin of chirality

C19: from Greek kheir hand + _-al ¹ + _-ity

Example Sentences

Human hands are a simple example of chirality.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

The study also outlines a broader design strategy for creating twisted bilayer photonic crystals with controllable optical chirality.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

So if you were to engineer synthetic mirror image versions of these, the amino acids would have right-handed chirality and the DNA would have left-handed chirality.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2025

As it happens, many aspects of life exhibit chirality, or “handedness.”

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2025

This gives researchers the ability to "tune" borophene to give it various properties, including chirality.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024