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
Synonyms
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 WebLorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
Residents on these blocks were forced to move to other parts of the city at a time when many suburban neighborhoods still had racial covenants that banned Black residents from owning houses.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The students considered the change in policy a victory, especially considering that the university had previously dedicated resources to protecting racially-restrictive housing covenants during the 1930s and 1940s, according to historian Arnold Hirsch.
—Eddie R. Cole / Made By History, TIME, 4 June 2024
The civil war in Russia ended in a new Leviathan, a covenant between the elites, the people, and the tsar.
—Vladislav Zubok, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for covenant 
Noun
Who is responsible for enforcing a neighborhood's covenants, conditions and restrictions if there's no HOA?
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
Residents on these blocks were forced to move to other parts of the city at a time when many suburban neighborhoods still had racial covenants that banned Black residents from owning houses.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The students considered the change in policy a victory, especially considering that the university had previously dedicated resources to protecting racially-restrictive housing covenants during the 1930s and 1940s, according to historian Arnold Hirsch.
—Eddie R. Cole / Made By History, TIME, 4 June 2024
The civil war in Russia ended in a new Leviathan, a covenant between the elites, the people, and the tsar.
—Vladislav Zubok, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for covenant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'covenant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near covenant
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
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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