covalence

[koh-vey-luhns]

noun

Chemistry.

1. the number of electron pairs that an atom can share with other atoms.

Other Word Forms

• covalent adjective
• covalently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of covalence¹

First recorded in 1915–20; co- + valence

Example Sentences

In downtown Birmingham, a half-block of Third Avenue includes a Japanese gastro pub, a company called Covalence that promises “coding boot camp and career altering education,” and a branch of the elegant cafe chain, Revelator Coffee.

From New York Times