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 WebJody L. Bickel, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Hosts can list only one unit at a time as a short-term rental and are barred from listing units that are rent-controlled, are covered by affordable housing covenants or have been removed from the long-term market because of the Ellis Act.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024
Bacardi bought the golf club for the $2.7 million bargain price in 2003 — knowing it was restricted by the covenant and zoned as parks and recreation.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 4 May 2024
This preference for non-entanglement was also the principal source of opposition to the commitment to collective security contained in the League of Nations covenant.
—Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for covenant 
Noun
Usually, however, the covenants operate more like assumptions that come back to bite sustainability leaders later.
—Jody L. Bickel, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Hosts can list only one unit at a time as a short-term rental and are barred from listing units that are rent-controlled, are covered by affordable housing covenants or have been removed from the long-term market because of the Ellis Act.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024
Bacardi bought the golf club for the $2.7 million bargain price in 2003 — knowing it was restricted by the covenant and zoned as parks and recreation.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 4 May 2024
This preference for non-entanglement was also the principal source of opposition to the commitment to collective security contained in the League of Nations covenant.
—Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024
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 8 Oct. 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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