valence
noun
va·lence
ˈvā-lən(t)s 
1
: 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
2
a
: relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate)
b
[in part from valence in chemistry, in part borrowed from Late Latin valentia "power, capacity," noun derivative of Latin valent-, valens, present participle of valēre "to have strength, be well" — more at wield]
: the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or thing possesses as a behavioral goal
the relative potency of the valences of success and failure—
Leon Festinger
Leon FestingerExamples of valence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These contexts had varying levels of emotional valence–how pleasant or unpleasant an experience is–and differing levels of excitement.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 July 2024
Even the promise of personalized music—a song about your breakup—negates the cultural valence of every heartbroken person crying to the same tune.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2024
Here, the images, the texts, and the audio of these massacres—even those that do not have the political valence of the march on Charlottesville in 2017 or the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th—are continuously refreshed.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 19 July 2024
The problem with this is that all media outlets, regardless of their political valence, sometimes get big things wrong, and the press has occasionally shown an unfortunate tendency to abruptly change course, and to ignore past mistakes.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for valence 
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 July 2024
Even the promise of personalized music—a song about your breakup—negates the cultural valence of every heartbroken person crying to the same tune.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2024
Here, the images, the texts, and the audio of these massacres—even those that do not have the political valence of the march on Charlottesville in 2017 or the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th—are continuously refreshed.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 19 July 2024
The problem with this is that all media outlets, regardless of their political valence, sometimes get big things wrong, and the press has occasionally shown an unfortunate tendency to abruptly change course, and to ignore past mistakes.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for valence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near valence
Cite this Entry
“Valence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valence. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
valence
noun
va·lence
ˈvā-lən(t)s
: 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·lence
ˈvā-lən(t)s
1
a
: 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
b
: a unit of valence
the four valences of carbon
2
a
: relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate)
b
: the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal
the relative potency of the valences of success and failure—Leon Festinger
Leon FestingerLove words? Need even more definitions?
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