noun
Common
covenant
KUHV-uhn-uhnt
Covenant (noun) means a formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with religious or legal weight. Example: “Buyers of the houses must follow a covenant that forbids building high fences.”
noun
1
A formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with religious or legal weight.
"Buyers of the houses must follow a covenant that forbids building high fences."
"The document outlines a covenant between the landowner and the tenant."
"In the Bible, God makes a covenant with Abraham."
verb
1
To formally promise or agree to something as part of a binding pact.
"The neighbours covenanted never to sell the shared field to a developer."
"In the deed, the owner covenants to keep the old wall in good repair."
"The two nations covenanted to maintain the ceasefire."
How to use covenant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA serious, formal agreement or promise, often with legal or religious significance.
Common pairings
break a covenant
sacred covenant
covenant of marriage
restrictive covenant
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like covenant.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- covenants
- Third person singular
- covenants
- Past tense
- covenanted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Buyers of the houses must follow a _____ that forbids building high fences.
Etymology
From Old French covenant, from Latin conveniēns ("agreeing"), the present participle of convenire ("to agree, to come together") — related to "convenient" and "convene."
Related words
Rhymes for covenant
See all rhymes for covenant →Frequently asked questions
What does “covenant” mean?
The word “covenant” means a formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with religious or legal weight. In plain terms, a serious, formal agreement or promise, often with legal or religious significance.
How do you pronounce “covenant”?
“Covenant” is pronounced KUHV-uhn-uhnt (/ˈkʌv.ən.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “covenant” in a sentence?
Here is “covenant” used in a sentence: “The document outlines a covenant between the landowner and the tenant.”
What is another word for “covenant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “covenant” include pact and agreement.
What part of speech is “covenant”?
Depending on how it is used, “covenant” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “covenant” come from?
The word “covenant” comes from Latin. From Old French covenant, from Latin conveniēns ("agreeing"), the present participle of convenire ("to agree, to come together") — related to "convenient" and "convene.".
Is “covenant” a common word?
“Covenant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “covenant” have?
“Covenant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with religious or legal weight.
What is the difference between a covenant and a contract?
A covenant is a formal, binding agreement that often carries religious, moral, or historically solemn weight, while a contract is the more general legal term for any binding agreement between parties, typically commercial. In legal usage, a covenant can also refer to a specific binding promise or clause within a larger contract or deed, such as a restrictive covenant on a property.
What is a restrictive covenant?
A restrictive covenant is a legally binding clause, often found in property deeds or employment contracts, that limits what one party can do, such as restricting how land may be used or preventing an employee from working for a competitor. It is a specific legal application of the broader meaning of covenant as a formal, binding agreement.
Is covenant used mainly in religious contexts?
Covenant is used in both religious and legal contexts, since its core meaning is simply a formal, binding agreement between parties. In religious texts it often describes a sacred promise between a deity and a people, while in law and business it refers to formal contractual commitments.
