trivalent

adjective

tri·​va·​lent (ˌ)trī-ˈvā-lənt 

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

The kind of chromium used in implants is predominantly trivalent (not the hexavalent kind in environmental pollution). — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026

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

Some epidemiologists suggest reversing the switch and returning to trivalent OPV for routine immunizations. — Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024

For instance, trivalent chrome uses a different form of chromium and a simpler process. — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 14 June 2024

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

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

But the makers of quadrivalent vaccines largely only have licenses to make quadrivalent vaccines—not trivalent ones. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trivalent

• bivalent
• ambivalent
• equivalent
• nonequivalent

Medical Definition

trivalent

1 of 2 adjective

tri·​va·​lent (ˈ)trī-ˈvā-lənt 

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