Definition of covenant
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 covenantsb : the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of covenant in a Sentence
an international covenant on human rights
The restrictive covenants of the building development prohibit the construction of buildings over 30 feet tall.
Recent Examples of covenant from the Web
-
The errors were significant enough, the people said, to cause the company to breach covenants with its big-bank creditors such as...
-
The poster from Ridley Scott's upcoming sci-fi movie 'Alien: Covenant.' (20th Century Fox)
-
Howard at VCU, 2 p.m. Lander at South Carolina, 2 p.m. Covenant at Tennessee St., 3 p.m. SMU at Memphis, 4 p.m. Midwest Rutgers at Wisconsin, 2 p.m. Michigan St. at Minnesota, 4 p.m.
-
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled such explicit racial-zoning schemes unconstitutional, in 1917, the city turned to other means—restrictive covenants, civic associations, and redlining—to keep blacks isolated.
-
In Swiss society, to violate the covenant of secrecy is to risk not just prison but also ostracism.
-
Before the sale, Allure lobbied the city to have the covenant lifted and, in an email in October 2014, promised to maintain the center as a for-profit nursing home.
-
Jimmy renders the man just another piece of meat hanging in the aging cellar, and the covenant between himself and Manny is sealed.
These example sentences are collected from online sources. Help us improve them by sending feedback.
Origin and Etymology of covenant
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of covenir to be fitting, from Latin convenire
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Legal Terms
Examples of covenant in a Sentence
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
Origin and Etymology of covenant
see 1covenant
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Legal Terms
COVENANT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of covenant for English Language Learners
-
: a formal and serious agreement or promise
-
law : a formal written agreement between two or more people, businesses, countries, etc.
COVENANT Defined for Kids
covenant
playDefinition of covenant for Students
: a formal or serious agreement or promise the covenant of marriage
Law Dictionary
covenant
playLegal 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
covenant
verbLearn More about covenant
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for covenant Spanish Central: Translation of covenant Nglish: Translation of covenant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of covenant for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about covenant
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up covenant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!