The assembling of separate molecular entities into any aggregate, especially of oppositely charged free ions into ion pairs or larger and not necessarily well-defined clusters of ions held together by electrostatic attraction. The term signifies the reverse of dissociation, but is not commonly used for the formation of definite adducts by colligation or coordination.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1086 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)