1
: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact
… international law, which depends upon the sanctity of covenants between rulers.—
George H. Sabine
George H. Sabine2
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
covenanted; covenanting; covenants
: to promise by a covenant : pledge
: to enter into a covenant : 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
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025
The loans to retailers carry a 13 percent interest rate over 10 years, and contain covenants limiting how much revenue can be spent on costs like rent, payroll and goods for sale.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The attorneys cited restrictive covenants that prevented the sales of homes to Black people, redlining, mortgage lending discrimination, and segregation in public housing.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025
Until the 1960s, Altadena remained vastly white, a result of past racial covenants, according to nonprofit advocacy group Altadena Heritage.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
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Noun
The company remains in compliance with all debt covenants and has no outstanding balance on its credit facility, with $150.0 million of available capacity.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025
The loans to retailers carry a 13 percent interest rate over 10 years, and contain covenants limiting how much revenue can be spent on costs like rent, payroll and goods for sale.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The attorneys cited restrictive covenants that prevented the sales of homes to Black people, redlining, mortgage lending discrimination, and segregation in public housing.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025
Until the 1960s, Altadena remained vastly white, a result of past racial covenants, according to nonprofit advocacy group Altadena Heritage.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for covenant
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
covenant
verb
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