bi·va·lent
(ˌ)bī-ˈvā-lənt 
ˈbī-və-
ˈbī-və-
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
: a pair of synaptic chromosomes
Examples of bivalent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
Since then, Gaza, like most other countries, has been using a bivalent version of OPV without the type 2 component in routine immunization and also the inactivated, or killed virus, polio vaccine.
—Byleslie Roberts, science.org, 10 Sep. 2024
Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 June 2023
Those over the age of 65 are now eligible for a second bivalent shot four months after their first.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bivalent 
Adjective
Others say public health systems could combine bivalent OPV and nOPV2, or that GPEI could develop a safer trivalent OPV vaccine in the style of nOPV2.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
Since then, Gaza, like most other countries, has been using a bivalent version of OPV without the type 2 component in routine immunization and also the inactivated, or killed virus, polio vaccine.
—Byleslie Roberts, science.org, 10 Sep. 2024
Noun
For the update, the advisers examined data suggesting that a monovalent vaccine, rather than a bivalent, would have a better shot at protecting against the latest omicron subvariants and reduce the chances of skewing immune responses back to the ancestral strain, which no longer circulates.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 June 2023
Those over the age of 65 are now eligible for a second bivalent shot four months after their first.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bivalent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bivalent.' 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 bivalent
Cite this Entry
“Bivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bivalent. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bivalent
1 of 2 adjective
bi·va·lent
(ˈ)bī-ˈvā-lənt
1
a
: 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
2 of 2 noun
: a pair of synaptic chromosomes
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