covenant

1 of 2

noun

cov·​e·​nant ˈkə-və-nənt 

ˈkəv-

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 ˈkə-və-nənt 

-ˌnant, 

ˈkəv-

covenanted; covenanting; covenants

transitive verb

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

intransitive verb

: to enter into a covenant : contract

Synonyms of covenant

Noun

• treaty
• pact

Verb

• bargain
• agree
• 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

Early 20th-century deed covenants explicitly barred Black, Chinese, or Japanese residents from buying or renting homes in the neighborhood. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Yolo County officials have identified and modified more than 1,100 historic property records containing discriminatory covenants, some dating back more than a century. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026

Black Detroiters were systematically excluded from quality neighborhoods by restrictive covenants embedded in property deeds. —Anita Moncrease, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2026

The pact, which the Park District Board approved in 2024 after much controversy, would place a 50-year restrictive covenant on the rebuilt Centennial and Elder Lane beaches, meaning the district could not modify certain features of the beach. —Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

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