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covenant

KUH-vuh-nuhnt /ˈkʌv.ə.nənt/

nounC1GRESATGMATUPSC

formallegalliterary

An agreement, contract, or promise written into a deed or lease, obligating a party to do or refrain from doing something.

Implies a solemn, highly binding, and formal promise. In real estate, covenants can run with the land, meaning they bind future owners of the property, not just the person who signed the original agreement.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin convenire, meaning 'to come together' (from com- 'together' + venire 'to come'). This evolved into the Old French covenant (agreement), reflecting the idea of two parties coming together to make a solemn, binding pledge.

Word relationships

promise: 'Promise' is informal and personal, whereas 'covenant' is formal, legally binding, and typically written into property deeds or financial contracts.
stipulation: A 'stipulation' is a specific requirement within an agreement, while a 'covenant' is the formal pledge or promise to fulfill that requirement.

Commonly confused with

contract: A contract is the entire agreement between parties, while a covenant is a specific, solemn promise or clause within that contract.

Word family

covenanted (adjective): Agreed upon by covenant.

Collocations

restrictive covenant
covenant of quiet enjoyment
breach of covenant
financial covenant

Example sentences

"The restrictive covenant on the property prevents any commercial development that exceeds three stories in height." A commercial property deed restriction.
"The covenant of quiet enjoyment guarantees that the tenant's possession will not be disturbed by anyone claiming a superior legal title." A classic historical legal text discussing property rights. (Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England)

Memory hook

A covenant is a binding promise made by people who CONvene (come together) to sign a contract. Covenant: a solemn promise made when parties CONvene.

When not to use

Do not use for casual, informal promises (e.g., 'I make a covenant to wash the dishes tonight' sounds absurdly dramatic).

Fun facts

Historically, 'restrictive covenants' were notoriously used in the United States to enforce racial segregation in housing developments, a practice ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the landmark 1948 case Shelley v. Kraemer.