Final answer:
A covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally is known as a polar covalent bond, leading to partial charges on the atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes a covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally between two atoms is a polar covalent bond. In a polar covalent bond, one atom exerts a greater attraction for the bonding electrons than the other atom, leading to an uneven distribution of electron density. This causes partial positive and negative charges to develop on the atoms involved in the bond. In contrast, a nonpolar covalent bond involves the equal sharing of electrons between atoms, and an ionic bond is formed when the difference in electronegativity between two atoms is so great that one atom donates an electron to the other, rather than sharing electrons.