1. the combining power of an element, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with
Usage: chemistry
2. the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal
Usage: psychology

Examples

• Carbon has multiple valences, allowing it to form diverse compounds.
• The valences of different elements determine how they bond together.
• Students learned about the valences of common elements in chemistry class.
• The psychologist studied the valences of various rewards in the experiment.
• Different stimuli had positive or negative valences for the subjects.
• Understanding atomic valences helps predict molecular structures.