What does "protonate" mean?

To add one or more protons to (a molecule, ion or radical).

Protonate

verb

verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Verb

1
To add one or more protons to (a molecule, ion or radical). transitive
"protonate the carbonyl group"
2
To acquire an additional proton. intransitive

From proton + -ate (verb-forming suffix).