valence

UK: /ˈveɪləns/

US: 'valence': (vā′ləns); 'Valence': (va läns′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

va•lence  (vā′ləns), n. 

1. Chemistry
   • the quality that determines the number of atoms or groups with which any single atom or group will unite chemically.
   • the relative combining capacity of an atom or group compared with that of the standard hydrogen atom. The chloride ion, Cl–, with a valence of one, has the capacity to unite with one atom of hydrogen or its equivalent, as in HCl or NaCl.
2. Immunology the number of determinants per molecule of antigen.
3. the capacity of one person or thing to react with or affect another in some special way, as by attraction or the facilitation of a function or activity.

Also, valency. 

• Latin valentia strength, worth, equivalent. to valent- (stem of valēns), present participle to be strong + -ia noun, nominal suffix; see -ence
• 1865–70

Va•lence  (va läns′), n. 

1. Place Names a city in and the capital of Drôme, in SE France. 70,307.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

valence / ˈveɪləns/ noun

1. another name (esp US and Canadian) for valency
2. the phenomenon of forming chemical bonds

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Valence / valɑ̃s/ noun

1. a town in SE France, on the River Rhône. Pop: 64 260 (1999)