covenant

1 of 2

noun

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-nənt How to pronounce covenant (audio)
ˈkə-və-
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 adjective

covenant

2 of 2

verb

cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-nənt How to pronounce covenant (audio)
-ˌnant,
ˈkə-və-
covenanted; covenanting; covenants

transitive verb

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

intransitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of covenant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

covenant

1 of 2 noun
cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-(ə-)nənt How to pronounce covenant (audio)
: a solemn agreement : contract

covenant

2 of 2 verb
cov·​e·​nant ˈkəv-(ə-)nənt How to pronounce covenant (audio)
-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 How to pronounce covenant (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on covenant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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