What is the term for a positively charged ion?

A positively charged ion is called a cation. This term specifically refers to any atom or molecule that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. The process of forming a cation typically occurs during chemical reactions where atoms seek to achieve stability, often following the octet rule, which states that atoms prefer to have eight electrons in their outermost shell.

In contrast, anions are negatively charged ions that have gained electrons. Molecules refer to two or more atoms bonded together, and compounds are substances formed by the chemical combination of two or more different elements. Since cations are identified by their positive charge resulting from the loss of electrons, this distinct characteristic makes "cation" the correct term for a positively charged ion.