A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond that involves the sharing of electrons between two atoms. In this type of bond, the atoms share one or more pairs of electrons in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration. Covalent bonds can occur between atoms of the same element or between atoms of different elements. In contrast, an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions that are held together by electrostatic forces.