bivalent

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​va·​lent (ˌ)bī-ˈvā-lənt  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

bivalent

2 of 2

noun

: a pair of synaptic chromosomes

Examples of bivalent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the study, aimed at looking for ways to induce immune protection against Bundibugyo virus, primates that were given a bivalent vaccine that targeted Zaire and Sudan ebolaviruses did not fare better than animals that weren’t vaccinated when they were exposed to Bundibugyo virus. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 18 May 2026

After the emergence of the bivalent (two strains) COVID-19 vaccine in 2022-2023, the myocarditis rate in this same age group fell to 2 per million cases, with the latest formulation of the vaccine in 2024-2025 also staying at 2 per million cases. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

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

Children who are age 5 may receive two doses of the Moderna bivalent or a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. — Brenda Goodman, CNN, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bivalent

• trivalent
• ambivalent
• equivalent
• nonequivalent

Medical 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