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 In Los Angeles, Lawler’s Law is the covenant that states the first team to score 100 points wins a game. — Bill Oram, oregonlive, 23 Aug. 2022 The Good News: God has answered the petitions of the faithful from time immemorial, ever since his covenant with the people of Israel. — Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 2 Aug. 2022 The trust, which is governed democratically by residents and neighbors, can decide to whom the dwelling can be sold and at what price, usually through a covenant in the lease. — Alexander Thompson And Jocelyn Yang, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2022 The university has exceeded the limits with about 900 students living there rather than the covenant’s limit of 853 people, Bokovoy said. — Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 Waves between windows symbolize baptism, sets of 12 steps call back to the 12 tribes of Israel and a golden arch inside the sanctuary honors the rainbow God presented as a covenant after the great flood depicted in Genesis in the Bible. — Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2022 The trust, which is governed democratically by residents and neighbors, can decide to whom the dwelling can be sold and at what price, usually through a covenant in the lease. — Alexander Thompson And Jocelyn Yang, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2022 The trust, which is governed democratically by residents and neighbors, can decide to whom the dwelling can be sold and at what price, usually through a covenant in the lease. — Jocelyn Yang, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar. 2022 One way to think about Christian higher education is as a covenant, a set of binding boundaries that defines each community, within which there is room to disagree, explore, and debate. — Emma Green, The New Yorker, 30 June 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.

Learn More About covenant

Dictionary Entries Near covenant

coven

covenant

covenantee

Statistics for covenant

Last Updated

21 Sep 2022

Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 30 Sep. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

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