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valence

noun

va·lenceˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce valence (audio)

:the degree of combining power of an element as shown by the number of atomic weights of a monovalent element (such as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element will combine or for which it can be substituted or with which it can be compared

:relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate)

:the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or thing possesses as a behavioral goal

… the relative potency of thevalences of success and failure …—

Leon Festinger

Examples ofvalence 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.

Despite most experts’ avowed lack of a political agenda, social media and cable news gave public health a partisanvalencethat it was never meant to have.—

Alexander Nazaryan,New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026But even the traditionally softer elements of the house were designed to have a slightly sinistervalence.—

Sarah Shachat,IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026Thisvalence carries implicit meaning and directs our actions in the world, either to seek out and improve upon pleasant states or to eliminate and avoid unpleasant states.—

Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025These stories about stuffing kids into snowsuits and her husband’s perpetual lateness are still charming, but there’s a differentvalence to them after the opening context of craft services and the Clermont Lounge.—

Kathryn Vanarendonk,Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025See All Example Sentences forvalence

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from GermanValenz, short forQuantivalenz "(chemical) valence," borrowed from Englishquantivalence, from Latinquantus "how much" +-i--i- + English-valence, noun derivative from-valent, inunivalententry 1,bivalententry 1, etc., on the model ofequivalent,equivalence; (sense 2b) in part fromvalence in chemistry, in part borrowed from Late Latinvalentia "power, capacity," noun derivative of Latinvalent-, valens, present participle ofvalēre "to have strength, be well" — more atwield — more atquantity

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined atsense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use ofvalence was in 1884

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Phrases Containingvalence

Rhymes forvalence

surveillance

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Browse Nearby Words

valedictory

valence

Valence

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Valence.”Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valence. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Kids Definition

valence

noun

va·lenceˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce valence (audio)

:the combining power of an atom as shown by the number of electrons in its outermost energy level that are lost, gained, or shared in the formation of chemical bonds

Medical Definition

valence

noun

va·lenceˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce valence (audio)

:the degree of combining power of an element or radical as shown by the number of atomic weights of a monovalent element (as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element or the partial molecular weight of the radical will combine or for which it can be substituted or with which it can be compared

:a unit of valence

the fourvalences of carbon

:relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate)

:the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal

the relative potency of thevalences of success and failure—

Leon Festinger