Which term best describes an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is best described as a bond formed by the attraction between oppositely charged ions. This type of bonding occurs when one atom donates electrons to another, leading to the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. The electrostatic force between these charged ions creates a strong attraction that holds them together, resulting in the formation of an ionic compound.

In contrast, a bond defined by shared electrons pertains to covalent bonding, which involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms rather than the transfer that characterizes ionic bonds. The reference to metallic atoms would imply a metallic bond, which involves the pooling of electrons rather than the attraction between charged ions. Lastly, a bond involving only one atom does not accurately describe any type of bond, as bonding requires interactions between at least two atoms. Thus, the option highlighting the attraction between oppositely charged ions clearly encapsulates the essential nature of ionic bonding.