trivalent

/traɪˈveɪlənt/
adjective
  1. Having three different parts or forms, especially in a vaccine that protects against three different strains of a disease.
    • Doctors recommend the trivalent vaccine for older adults this season.
    • The trivalent flu shot protects against three different influenza viruses.
    • The new trivalent formula targets the most common strains of the virus.
  2. In chemistry, having a valence of three; able to combine with three atoms of hydrogen or their equivalent.
    • In this reaction, the trivalent metal forms a stable complex with three ligands.
    • Aluminum is a trivalent element, often found in compounds like aluminum oxide.
    • The chemist explained that trivalent ions carry a charge of +3.
What does "trivalent" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean