covalence

noun

co·va·lence ˌkō-ˈvā-lən(t)s

ˈkō-ˌvā-

: valence characterized by the sharing of electrons

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of covalence was in 1919

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

CoV

covalence

covalency

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Covalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covalence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

covalence

noun

co·va·lence (ˈ)kō-ˈvā-lən(t)s

: valence characterized by the sharing of electrons

covalent

-lənt

adjective

covalently adverb

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

covalence

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes