covenant

1 of 2

noun

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-nənt 

ˈkə-və-

1

: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact

… international law, which depends upon the sanctity of covenants between rulers.

—George H. Sabine

2

a

: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

the deed conveying the land contained restrictive covenants

b

: the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract

covenantal

ˌkə-və-ˈnan-tᵊl 

adjective

covenant

2 of 2

verb

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-nənt 

-ˌnant,

ˈkə-və-

covenanted; covenanting; covenants

transitive verb

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

intransitive verb

: to enter into a covenant : contract

Synonyms

Noun

• accord
• alliance
• compact
• convention
• pact
• treaty

Verb

• agree
• bargain
• contract

Examples of covenant in a Sentence

Noun

an international covenant on human rights

The restrictive covenants of the building development prohibit the construction of buildings over 30 feet tall.

Verb

a traditional rule held that a husband could not enter into a covenant with his wife, because that was the equivalent of covenanting with himself

the home buyers had to covenant that they would restore and keep the house for at least 10 years in exchange for a low mortgage rate

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention, where the new covenant between the governing and the governed was established. —Lathan Watts, National Review, 1 Sep. 2023

In the opening chapters, Meckler provides what has become a familiar saga of redlining, deed covenants, and intimidation, all carried out in the interest of keeping Black residents out of white neighborhoods. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023

Seven unrated hospitals have defaulted this year, according to Bloomberg data, in a combination of failures to pay and violations of borrowing agreements known as covenants. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023

It’s evidenced when boys, and only boys, pass the sacrament as a part of the faith’s most reverent and repeated rite every Sunday, while the girls sit on the chapel benches to await the renewal of covenants at the hands of boys. —Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023

That’s surely its own covenant — a fitting mission statement for this grandly ambitious, impassioned work. —Joan Frank, Washington Post, 3 May 2023

Some of the nearby property owners were still skeptical of TREND’s plans to rejuvenate the shopping center and did not want to amend the covenant, Williams said. —Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2023

The property had been under a 30-year affordability covenant, but that expired and some tenants saw their rents triple in recent years. —Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2023

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy is the buyer of the brand, and there is a non-compete clause among other restrictive covenants. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2023

Verb

USA TODAY NETWORK LOS ANGELES — Alien: Covenant edged out Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in a weekend space battle at the box office. —Sandy Cohen, USA TODAY, 21 May 2017

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Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of covenir to be fitting, from Latin convenire

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

covenant

1 of 2 noun

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-(ə-)nənt 

: a solemn agreement : contract

covenant

2 of 2 verb

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-(ə-)nənt 

-ə-ˌnant

1

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

2

: to enter into a covenant

Legal Definition

covenant

noun

cov·​e·​nant ˈkə-və-nənt 

1

: an official agreement or compact

an international covenant on human rights

2

a

: a contract in its entirety or a promise within a contract for the performance or nonperformance of a particular act

a covenant not to sue

specifically : a promise relating to the transfer, possession, or ownership of real property see also covenant not to compete, restrictive covenant

b

: a warranty in a deed assuring the grantee especially against defects in title

a covenant for quiet enjoyment

see also run

3

: a common-law action to recover damages for breach of a contract under seal compare assumpsit, debt

covenant verb