valence

You might be confusing the word valence with valance. These words are commonly misused.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈveɪl(ə)ns/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈveɪləns/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: val‧ence

Noun

Singular valence

Plural valences

1. (countable) (chemistry) A valence is something that determines the number of atoms that will bond with another kind of atom.
2. (countable) (chemistry) A valence is a certain amount of atoms or groups in a basic combination that an atom or group can actually hold.