What does valence mean?
The capacity of an atom or radical to combine with others; the number of electrons an atom loses or gains to form a chemical bond. In chemistry, the valence of an atom is a measure of its combining power.
Example
"The valence of the element oxygen is two, meaning it typically forms two bonds with other atoms."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.