trivalent

adjective

tri·​va·​lent (ˌ)trī-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce trivalent (audio)
1
: having a chemical valence of three
2
: conferring immunity to three different pathogenic strains or species
a trivalent influenza vaccine

Examples of trivalent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For instance, trivalent chrome uses a different form of chromium and a simpler process. — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 14 June 2024 But the makers of quadrivalent vaccines largely only have licenses to make quadrivalent vaccines—not trivalent ones. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023 The kind of chromium used in implants is predominantly trivalent (not the hexavalent kind in environmental pollution). — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 That could effectively open up one of the seats in the vaccines, dropping them next season from quadrivalent formulations – targeting four different antigens in a single shot – to trivalent. — Alexander Tin, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024 Some epidemiologists suggest reversing the switch and returning to trivalent OPV for routine immunizations. — Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024 The shot is trivalent, which means it was designed to help protect against three flu strains — influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria virus. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025 Due to the disappearance of the B/Yamagata lineage from circulation, WHO has recommended a trivalent influenza vaccine composition without B/Yamagata for 2024/2025 vaccines. — Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trivalent was in 1865

Rhymes for trivalent

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Browse Nearby Words

trivalence
trivalent
trivalve
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Cite this Entry

“Trivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trivalent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

trivalent

1 of 2 adjective
tri·​va·​lent (ˈ)trī-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce trivalent (audio)
1
: having a chemical valence of three
2
: conferring immunity to three different pathogenic strains or species
a trivalent influenza vaccine

trivalent

2 of 2 noun
: a group of three synapsed homologous chromosomes in meiosis
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