The term used to describe the attraction of water molecules to other molecules is referred to as <u>adhesion</u>.
Generally, adhesion or adhesive forces is a term used to describe the force of attraction between molecules of different substances. This is as opposed to cohesion or cohesive forces which refers to the force of attraction between the molecules of the same substance.
Hence, when molecules of water attract or stick to other molecules, the force at play is an adhesive force or simply adhesion.
