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.
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 There are two formulations of flu vaccines: trivalent vaccines and quadrivalent ones. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023 But the makers of quadrivalent vaccines largely only have licenses to make quadrivalent vaccines—not trivalent ones. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023 But whether that’s easy or difficult to do will depend on whether flu vaccine manufacturers still have licenses for former trivalent formulations. Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Sep. 2023 Many still use trivalent vaccine — a three-in-one shot that protects against influenza A viruses H1N1 and H3N2, plus one of the flu B viruses. Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Sep. 2023

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

Dictionary Entries Near trivalent

Cite this Entry

“Trivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trivalent. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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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