partiallyionicbond
nounA bond between atoms that is partly like sharing and partly like giving and taking electrons.
The bond in hydrogen chloride is a partially ionic bond because the shared electrons are pulled more toward the chlorine atom.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A bond with both covalent and ionic character due to unequal sharing of electrons.
Chemists describe the bond in water as a partially ionic bond because oxygen pulls the electrons more strongly than hydrogen.
3. A bond where electron transfer is incomplete, leaving partial charges on the atoms.
In a partially ionic bond, the atoms carry small partial charges instead of full positive and negative charges.
4. A bond intermediate between pure covalent and pure ionic bonding.
The bond in silver iodide is often called a partially ionic bond because it falls between the two extremes.