What type of bond holds water molecules together?

Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other. In water, however, the atoms share electrons rather than fully transferring them, making ionic bonds irrelevant in the context of water molecule interactions.

Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons, and while the bonds within a single water molecule (between hydrogen and oxygen) are indeed covalent, it is the hydrogen bonds that form between separate water molecules that hold them together. Therefore, covalent bonds do not describe the intermolecular forces that bind water molecules.

The term "molecular bond" is not a standard classification in chemistry. While it might imply bonds that occur within molecules, it does not specifically address the type of bond that holds multiple water molecules together. Water's unique intermolecular interactions are specifically described as hydrogen bonds, not simply as molecular bonds.