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bivalent

adjective
bi·​va·​lent | \ (ˌ)bī-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce bivalent (audio) , ˈbī-və- How to pronounce bivalent (audio) \

Definition of bivalent

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

bivalent

noun

Definition of bivalent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a pair of synaptic chromosomes

Examples of bivalent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 As a first step, in April 2016 all countries switched from the trivalent version of OPV—which covers all three types of polio virus—to a bivalent one, which lacks the type 2 component. — Leslie Roberts, Science | AAAS, "Surging cases have dashed all hope that polio might be eradicated in 2019," 10 July 2019 In April of that year, the 155 countries still using the trivalent vaccine, which targets all three polio variants, replaced it with a bivalent vaccine with the type 2 component removed. — Leslie Roberts, Science | AAAS, "Alarming polio outbreak spreads in Congo, threatening global eradication efforts," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bivalent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bivalent

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for bivalent

bivalent

adjective
bi·​va·​lent | \ (ˈ)bī-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce bivalent (audio) \

Medical Definition of bivalent

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

noun

Medical Definition of bivalent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a pair of synaptic chromosomes

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bivalent

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