covenant
KUHV-uh-nuhnt
/ˈkʌv.ən.ənt/
An agreement, usually formal, solemn, and binding; a pledge.
A covenant is much deeper than a standard contract. While a contract is a legal agreement that can be broken with a penalty, a covenant is a moral and spiritual bond that is intended to be permanent.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old French 'covenant', which was the present participle of 'convenir', meaning 'to agree' or 'to come together'. This in turn comes from the Latin 'convenire' (con- 'together' + venire 'to come'). A covenant is literally a 'coming together' of minds and hearts to make a solemn promise.
Word relationships
- pact: A pact is a formal agreement, often political or military, whereas a covenant has a stronger moral, spiritual, or legal-binding connotation.
- treaty: A treaty is a formal agreement between sovereign states, while a covenant can be between individuals, communities, or humanity and God.
- breach: A breach is the act of breaking an agreement, the direct opposite of maintaining a covenant.
Commonly confused with
- contract: A contract is a legal, transactional agreement, while a covenant is a solemn, moral, or spiritual bond.
Word family
- covenanted (adjective): Bound by a covenant.
- covenanter (noun): A person who makes a covenant.
Collocations
- solemn covenant
- restrictive covenant
- enter into a covenant
- break a covenant
Example sentences
- "The two communities signed a solemn covenant to protect the shared water source." A treaty between two communities.
- "The housing development was subject to a restrictive covenant that prevented any major structural changes." A legal property agreement.
Memory hook
Think of a 'convent' where people 'convene' to make a solemn promise to live a spiritual life. They are entering a covenant. Coming together to make a solemn promise.
When not to use
Do not use for casual, everyday agreements (like meeting a friend for lunch) or simple commercial transactions.
Fun facts
- In real estate law, 'restrictive covenants' are binding clauses in property deeds that limit how the land can be used, often surviving even when the property changes hands.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.