covenant

[ kuhv-uh-nuhnt ]

/ ˈkʌv ə nənt /

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See synonyms for: covenant / covenants on Thesaurus.com

noun

an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.

Law. an incidental clause in such an agreement.

Ecclesiastical. a solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel.

(initial capital letter)History/Historical.

Bible.

the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture.
the agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.

Law.

a formal agreement of legal validity, especially one under seal.
an early English form of action in suits involving sealed contracts.

Covenant of the League of Nations.

verb (used without object)

to enter into a covenant.

verb (used with object)

to promise by covenant; pledge.

to stipulate.

OTHER WORDS FOR covenant

1 treaty, pact, convention.

See synonyms for covenant on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of covenant

1250–1300; Middle English <Anglo-French, Old French, noun use of present participle of covenir<Latin convenīre to come together, agree; see -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM covenant

cov·e·nan·tal

[kuhv-uh-nan-tl], /ˌkʌv əˈnæn tl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use covenant in a sentence

The Bloomingdale rowhouse was central to a 1948 Supreme Court case contesting racially restrictive deed covenants.
The pandemic isn’t stopping D.C.’s annual history conference|John Kelly|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
After months of claiming Clarida was not a tenant and that their covenant was not a lease, the nonprofit had formally filed an eviction notice in landlord-tenant court.
Domestic violence survivors say they were kicked out by the housing program that promised to help them|Rachel Chason, Katie Mettler|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
We’re seeing people on both extremes who seem willing to color outside the lines, to break the covenant of democracy.
Are we better off than we were four years ago?|cleaf2013|October 17, 2020|Fortune
Under Asa, and also under Josiah, the people in their civil capacity with their rulers Covenanted too.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

We are warranted to maintain that what was Covenanted before, no less than it should be performed, should be vowed again.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Noah and his family in their associate capacity Covenanted with God.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
He also made them swear, and covenanted with them a second time, that they would obey his son; and he confided in their oaths.
The Arabian Nights|Unknown
I have avoided these early séances; but every one knows that he is never ready for a patient at the covenanted hour after that.
Adventures and Enthusiasms|E. V. Lucas

British Dictionary definitions for covenant (1 of 2)

covenant

/ (ˈkʌvənənt) /

noun

a binding agreement; contract

law

an agreement in writing under seal, as to pay a stated annual sum to a charity
a particular clause in such an agreement, esp in a lease

(in early English law) an action in which damages were sought for breach of a sealed agreement

Bible God's promise to the Israelites and their commitment to worship him alone

verb

to agree to a covenant (concerning)

Derived forms of covenant

covenantal (ˌkʌvəˈnæntəl), adjectivecovenantally, adverb

Word Origin for covenant

C13: from Old French, from covenir to agree, from Latin convenīre to come together, make an agreement; see convene

British Dictionary definitions for covenant (2 of 2)

Covenant

/ (ˈkʌvənənt) /

noun

Scot history any of the bonds entered into by Scottish Presbyterians to defend their religion, esp one in 1638 (National Covenant) and one of 1643 (Solemn League and Covenant)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for covenant

covenant

Literally, a contract. In the Bible (see also Bible), an agreement between God and his people, in which God makes promises to his people and, usually, requires certain conduct from them. In the Old Testament, God made agreements with Noah, Abraham, and Moses. To Noah, he promised that he would never again destroy the Earth with a flood. He promised Abraham that he would become the ancestor of a great nation, provided Abraham went to the place God showed him and sealed the covenant by circumcision of all the males of the nation. To Moses, God said that the Israelites would reach the Promised Land but must obey the Mosaic law. In the New Testament, God promised salvation (see also salvation) to those who believe in Jesus.

covenant

OTHER WORDS FOR covenant

Origin of covenant

OTHER WORDS FROM covenant

Words related to covenant

How to use covenant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for covenant (1 of 2)

Derived forms of covenant

Word Origin for covenant

British Dictionary definitions for covenant (2 of 2)

Cultural definitions for covenant