Word
covenant
US/ˈkəvənənt/
UK/kˈʌvənənt/
Definitions
01formal agreement
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a serious, formal agreement between two or more people or groups.
n. a formal and binding agreement, often appearing as a clause in a contract or deed.
“The property deed included a covenant that prevented the owner from building a fence.”
“The restrictive covenant embedded in the land title prohibits any commercial development that might obstruct the neighbouring residents' view of the valley.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'enter into', 'break', or 'honour'.
02religious promise
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a holy promise or agreement between God and a person or group of people.
n. a solemn promise or relationship of spiritual significance, typically between a deity and humanity.
“In the Bible, the rainbow is described as a sign of God's covenant with Noah.”
“The theologian argued that the new covenant represented a fundamental shift in the relationship between the divine and the individual believer.”
03to promise formally
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
v. to make a formal or legal promise to do something.
v. to agree by lease, deed, or legal contract; to enter into a formal and binding commitment.
“The two nations covenanted to defend each other in case of an attack.”
“Under the terms of the settlement, the corporation covenanted to provide annual environmental impact reports to the local council for the next decade.”
Usage
Usually followed by a 'to' infinitive or a 'that' clause.
Real-World Examples
“These violate international human rights standards under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights .” “Those rules – codes, covenants and restrictions, known collectively as CCRs – are often created by developers , who initially control the HOA.” Related words
Idioms
01. covenant of salt
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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