Definition of COVENANTING (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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In 2009, lawmakers ratified the U.N.’s two covenants on human rights, one of which calls for the abolition of the death penalty. —Yian Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 20 Sep. 2024 Another significant challenge sustainability leaders struggle with is covenants. —Jody L. Bickel, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 According to the ordinance, hosts can list only one unit at a time as a short-term rental and are prohibited from listing units that are rent-controlled, have been removed from the long-term market because of the Ellis Act or qualify for affordable housing covenants. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024 Who is responsible for enforcing our covenants, conditions and restrictions? —Christopher A. Combs, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2024 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 9 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
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