bi·va·lent (ˌ)bī-ˈvā-lənt 
ˈbī-və-
ˈbī-və-
1
chemistry : having a valence of two : divalent
bivalent calcium
2
genetics : associated in pairs in synapsis
bivalent chromosomes
3
immunology : having two combining sites
a bivalent antibody capable of binding to two molecules of an antigen
4
medical : conferring immunity to two diseases or two serotypes
a bivalent vaccine
: a pair of synaptic chromosomes
Examples of bivalent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026 Further, in 2022, Novavax explained that their bivalent BA.1 + wild type formulation performed no better than single antigen formulations. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 June 2023 Those over the age of 65 are now eligible for a second bivalent shot four months after their first. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for bivalent
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
The goal here is to convert the organic compound n-butanol into 1,4 butanediol, a bivalent alcohol and important raw material for plastics. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026 Further, in 2022, Novavax explained that their bivalent BA.1 + wild type formulation performed no better than single antigen formulations. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
For the update, the advisers examined data suggesting that a monovalent vaccine, rather than a bivalent, would have a better shot at protecting against the latest omicron subvariants and reduce the chances of skewing immune responses back to the ancestral strain, which no longer circulates. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 June 2023 Those over the age of 65 are now eligible for a second bivalent shot four months after their first. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for bivalent
Cite this Entry
“Bivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/bivalent. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bivalent
1 of 2 adjective
bi·va·lent (ˈ)bī-ˈvā-lənt
1
a
: divalent
bivalent calcium
b
: having two combining sites
a bivalent antibody capable of binding to two molecules of an antigen
2
: associated in pairs in synapsis
bivalent chromosomes
3
: conferring immunity to two diseases or two serotypes
a bivalent vaccine protecting against hepatitis A and hepatitis B
bivalent
2 of 2 noun
: a pair of synaptic chromosomes
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