trivalent

[ trahy-vey-luhnt, triv-uh-luhnt ]

/ traɪˈveɪ lənt, ˈtrɪv ə lənt /

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adjective

Chemistry. having a valence of three.

Immunology. having three binding sites, as certain antigens.

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Origin of trivalent

1865–70; tri- + -valent

OTHER WORDS FROM trivalent

tri·va·lence, tri·va·len·cy, noun

Words nearby trivalent

triumvir, triumvirate, triune, triunitarian, triunity, trivalent, trivalve, Trivandrum, trivet, trivia, trivial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trivalent in a sentence

The trivalent hydroxides are too weak bases390 to form stable salts with so weak an acid as carbonic acid.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz
Triatomic, trī-a-tom′ik, adj. consisting of three atoms: trivalent.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
Thus the oxide of the trivalent metal aluminium has the formula Al2O3.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
The trivalent metals, which in addition to aluminium include also iron and chromium, are sometimes called the earth metals.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson

Write the general formula of an alum, representing an atom of an alkali metal by X and an atom of a trivalent metal by Y.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson

British Dictionary definitions for trivalent

trivalent

/ (traɪˈveɪlənt, ˈtrɪvələnt) /

adjective chem

having a valency of three

having three valencies

Also: tervalent

Derived forms of trivalent

trivalency, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for trivalent

trivalent

[ trī-vā′lənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 3.