The definition of an ionic bond is when a positively charged ion forms a bond with a negatively charged ions and one atom transfers electrons to another. An example of an ionic bond is the chemical compound Sodium Chloride (NaCl).

The difference between an ionic and a covalent bond are:

(a) An ionic bond essentially donates an electron to the other atom participating in the bond, while electrons in a covalent bond are shared equally between the atoms.

(b)The only pure covalent bonds occur between identical atoms. Usually, there is some polarity (polar covalent bond) in which the electrons are shared, but spend more time with one atom than the other.

(c) Ionic bonds form between a metal and a non-metal. Covalent bonds form between two non-metals.