coven

noun co·ven \ ˈkə-vən also ˈkō- \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of coven

1 : a collection of individuals with similar interests or activities

a coven of intellectuals

2 : an assembly or band of usually 13 witches

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Examples of coven in a Sentence

a coven of epicures who gather for monthly wine tastings

Recent Examples of coven from the Web

In the 1960s, a coven calling themselves W.I.T.C.H (Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell) set about hexing Wall Street and beauty pageants and generally hanging around being creepy.

— emma grey ellis, WIRED, "Witches, Frog-Gods, and the Deepening Schism of Internet Religions," 3 Apr. 2018
Several Footprints at the River’s Edge commenters riffed on nautical folklore, suggesting that perhaps, like the sirens who tempted Odysseus, covens of attractive females were luring victims to the rivers.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Drowning In a River of Murky Thought," 22 Mar. 2018
By the flicker of Candy's spell-casting candles, the trio form a casual coven to welcome good vibes and expel bad ones, i.e. unworthy men.

— amy nicholson, chicagotribune.com, "'Half Magic' review: Heather Graham casts a spell in her writing-directing debut," 22 Feb. 2018
Yes, members of my coven, the show that essentially brought witches into the mainstream is coming back.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "The 'Charmed' Reboot Is Officially Happening—and It's Getting a 'Feminist' Twist," 26 Jan. 2018
Their first meeting as a coven took place just after last Halloween, on Samhain, a pagan holiday marking the beginning of winter.

— lila shapiro, The Cut, "What Pop Culture Gets Right and Wrong About Witches, According to a Real Coven," 31 Oct. 2017
Their latest comedic musical fairy tale shares the adventures of the titular kids who journey into the Black Forest Cake Forest in search of food and must face their fears and a coven of hungry witches.

— samantha nelson, chicagotribune.com, "Festive plays at suburban theaters look to brighten your holidays," 11 Dec. 2017
The second season begins with Stan meeting the descendants of a Wiccan coven.

— andrew r. chow, New York Times, "What’s on TV Wednesday: ‘H Is for Hawk’ and ‘Total Divas’," 1 Nov. 2017
Photos and video of the Portland coven paddling down the Willamette has drawn national attention, from MSN to CBS.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "Witches take to the Willamette on paddleboards for Halloween," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coven.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of coven

Middle English covin agreement, confederacy, from Anglo-French covine, from Medieval Latin convenium agreement, from Latin convenire to agree — more at convenient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1520

See Words from the same year