covenant

noun

Save Word

cov·e·nant | \ ˈkəv-nənt

, ˈkə-və- \

Definition of covenant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact … international law, which depends upon the sanctity of covenants between rulers.— George H. Sabine

2a : 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

covenant

verb

cov·e·nant | \ ˈkəv-nənt

, -ˌnant, ˈkə-və- \

covenanted; covenanting; covenants

Definition of covenant (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

intransitive verb

: to enter into a covenant : contract

Other Words from covenant Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About covenant

Synonyms & Antonyms for covenant

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

disagree

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 Call it a hybrid work covenant, and everybody has to sign on. — Alexandra Samuel, WSJ, 17 May 2022 Developers in Phoenix and other parts of the U.S. could legally add and enforce the restrictive race covenant until the Fair Housing Act voided them. — AZCentral.com, 18 Apr. 2022 Josh just found a way to tell the story of Passover to the children and somehow bring it around to referencing the ark of the covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark. — Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2022 The association’s only option to enforce the covenant will be to then take the owner to court. — Brittany Freeman, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2022 The covenant limits the number of people who can live there and lasts for 50 years. — Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 As things stand, the site is prohibited from non-commercial and non-industrial uses because of a standing covenant with the Ohio environmental protection agency and to put a jail there, the county would have to connect. — Laura Johnston, cleveland, 4 Apr. 2022 Nearly no one believes anymore that America is in some sort of covenant with God that sets it apart from every other nation. — Steve Larkin, The Week, 22 Mar. 2022 Ten percent of total units, or 180 units, will be restricted by covenant for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, and 90 units will be reserved for households earning up to 150 percent of the area median income. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: 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 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near covenant

coven

covenant

covenantee

Statistics for covenant

Last Updated

24 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for covenant

covenant

noun

cov·e·nant | \ ˈkə-və-nənt

Kids Definition of covenant

: a formal or serious agreement or promise the covenant of marriage

covenant

noun

cov·e·nant | \ ˈkə-və-nənt

Legal Definition of covenant

1 : an official agreement or compact an international covenant on human rights

2a : 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