Definition of COVENANTS (original) (raw)
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
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 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.
The company reports compliance with all debt covenants. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025 The office says Domb's 6.5millionbidisprecludedbyarestrictivecovenantthatrequiresthepropertytobeusedforeducationalpurposes.—IsaacAvilucea,Axios,14Jan.2025Carterandthosearoundhimhopedthattheaccordswouldeventuallypavethewaytoawiderregionalpeace,centeredonacovenantbetweenIsraelandthePalestinians.—LauraKing,LosAngelesTimes,1Jan.2025Resultsfailedtomeetbondcovenantsformorethan6.5 million bid is precluded by a restrictive covenant that requires the property to be used for educational purposes. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025 Carter and those around him hoped that the accords would eventually pave the way to a wider regional peace, centered on a covenant between Israel and the Palestinians. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 Results failed to meet bond covenants for more than 6.5millionbidisprecludedbyarestrictivecovenantthatrequiresthepropertytobeusedforeducationalpurposes.—IsaacAvilucea,Axios,14Jan.2025Carterandthosearoundhimhopedthattheaccordswouldeventuallypavethewaytoawiderregionalpeace,centeredonacovenantbetweenIsraelandthePalestinians.—LauraKing,LosAngelesTimes,1Jan.2025Resultsfailedtomeetbondcovenantsformorethan700 million borrowed against future revenue, triggering an uncomfortable conversation between the medical provider and the insurance company that protects investors. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 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
Dictionary Entries Near covenant
Cite this Entry
“Covenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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