covenant

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/ˈkʌvənənt/
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A solemn binding agreement or promise, especially in law and religion, with a formal verb use for entering or making that promise.
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Examples

  • The agreement contained a covenant not to compete.
  • The deed covenants that the land will remain open space.
  • Both parties signed the covenant in front of witnesses.
  • The Noahic covenant is linked with the sign of the rainbow.
  • The sermon contrasted the old covenant and the new covenant.

Similar words

undertaking
bind
agreement
bond
pact
promise
compact
pledge
stipulation
pact

Meanings

Formal binding agreement

noun
law
formal
A solemn agreement, promise, or clause that binds people, organizations, or property owners to do or not do something.

Usage

Use covenant when the agreement carries formal obligation, especially in law, property, contracts, or solemn public commitments.

Examples

  • The lease includes a restrictive covenant about building heights.
  • The developer breached a covenant in the property deed.
  • The agreement contained a covenant not to compete.
  • Both parties signed the covenant in front of witnesses.
  • The lender required a financial covenant in the loan documents.
  • Local authorities enforced the housing covenant.

Common mistakes

The word is treated as an ordinary casual promise, or the legal clause is confused with the whole contract.
IncorrectCorrect
I made a covenant to text you later. I promised to text you later.
The lease is one covenant. The lease contains several covenants.
The covenant allows all building work without limits. The covenant restricts some building work.
They signed a covenant handshake. They signed a formal covenant.

Similar words

agreement
compact
pact
contract
undertaking
pledge
stipulation

Sacred pact with God

noun
religion
neutral
A sacred agreement or relationship between God and a person, people, or community, especially in Jewish and Christian scripture.

Usage

Use covenant in religious contexts for a solemn relationship of promise and obligation, not just any rule or belief.

Examples

  • The Noahic covenant is linked with the sign of the rainbow.
  • The Abrahamic covenant shapes much of the biblical story.
  • The sermon contrasted the old covenant and the new covenant.
  • The community renewed its covenant during the ceremony.
  • Scholars debate how the covenant language works in the text.
  • The hymn speaks of a covenant of mercy.

Common mistakes

The religious sense is reduced to a simple rule, or every promise in scripture is called a covenant.
IncorrectCorrect
The commandment itself is a covenant. The commandment belongs to a covenant.
Any biblical promise is automatically a covenant. Some biblical promises are part of covenants.
The covenant was only a private opinion. The covenant was a sacred relationship of promise and obligation.

Similar words

pact
compact
promise
testament
bond
alliance

Promise by formal agreement

verb
law
formal
To enter into a covenant, or to promise formally by covenant that something will or will not be done.

Usage

Use covenant as a verb with patterns such as covenant with, covenant to, or covenant that in legal or solemn contexts.

Examples

  • The landlord covenants to keep the roof in repair.
  • The parties covenanted not to disclose the figures.
  • The deed covenants that the land will remain open space.
  • The congregation covenanted to support the new mission.
  • Each borrower covenants to maintain insurance.
  • They covenanted with one another before witnesses.

Common mistakes

The verb is used where a plain promise is enough, or the required pattern after covenant is missing.
IncorrectCorrect
I covenant I will call you later. I promise I will call you later.
They covenanted the lease. They entered into a covenant in the lease.
The landlord covenants repairs promptly. The landlord covenants to repair promptly.
The deed covenants the owner not build higher. The deed covenants that the owner must not build higher.

Similar words

promise
pledge
undertake
agree
bind
commit
stipulate

Usage

Use covenant when the promise is formal, solemn, legal, or religious, and use plainer words like promise or agreement for everyday commitments.

Common mistakes

Covenant is overused for casual promises, and the verb often loses its pattern in errors like covenants repairs instead of covenants to repair.

Etymology

From Middle English covenaunt, from Old French covenant, linked to Latin convenire, "to come together" or "agree".

FAQ

What does covenant mean?

A covenant is a solemn binding agreement, promise, or clause, especially in legal, property, or religious contexts.

What is a covenant in law?

In law, a covenant is a formal promise or clause that requires someone to do or not do something.

What is a religious covenant?

A religious covenant is a sacred relationship of promise and obligation between God and a person, people, or community.

Is covenant the same as contract?

Not exactly. A covenant can be part of a contract, but it usually stresses a formal promise or obligation.

Can covenant be a verb?

Yes. To covenant is to enter into a covenant or promise formally by covenant.

What does restrictive covenant mean?

A restrictive covenant is a legal promise that limits what someone may do, often with land or property.

Where does covenant come from?

Covenant came through French into English and is linked to Latin words for coming together or agreeing.

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