settlement

noun

set·​tle·​ment ˈse-tᵊl-mənt 

1

: the act or process of settling

2

a

: an act of bestowing or giving possession under legal sanction

b

: the sum, estate, or income secured to one by such a settlement

3

a

: occupation by settlers

b

: a place or region newly settled

c

: a small village

4

: settlement house

5

: an agreement composing differences

6

: payment or adjustment of an account

Synonyms of settlement

• agreement
• pact
• convention

Examples of settlement in a Sentence

I got the house in the divorce settlement.

The parties have not been able to reach a settlement in the case.

We were hoping for a quick settlement of the dispute between the neighbors.

English settlements in North America.

This was the island's first colonial settlement.

They came upon the ruins of an ancient settlement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ukraine argues an immediate ceasefire is the necessary first step toward negotiating a wider settlement and says a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky is the only way territorial issues can be settled. — Bassam Hatoum, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Kelly’s fellow anchor at the time, Gretchen Carlson, accused Ailes of a similar pattern of behavior the same year, leading to an internal investigation that resulted in Ailes’ resignation and settlements with multiple women. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2026

Separately, residents are awaiting payments from a $15 million settlement the city agreed to in two federal lawsuits alleging discrimination against public housing residents. — Nats_syndicator, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2026

The settlement followed a complaint filed on behalf of the five county district attorneys alleging that the company violated state price accuracy and greenwashing laws, as well as pesticide regulations. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing settlement

• out-of-court settlement
• pre-settlement
• settlement house
• viatical settlement

Rhymes for settlement

• resettlement

Kids Definition

settlement

noun

set·​tle·​ment ˈset-ᵊl-mənt 

1

: the act of settling : the condition of being settled

2

: final payment (as of a bill)

3

a

: a place or region newly settled

b

: a small village

4

: settlement house

Legal Definition

settlement

noun

set·​tle·​ment

1

: the act or process of settling

2

a

: an agreement reducing or resolving differences

especially : an agreement between litigants that concludes the litigation

the states finally agreed upon a settlement and a consent decree

—W. J. Brennan, Jr.

entered into a property settlement prior to the divorce

b

: a formal and permanent grant or conveyance

c

: the sum, estate, or income granted or paid under a settlement

if the monetary limits of a defendant's insurance policy can be discovered in order to obtain reasonable settlements

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

3

: closing

settlement costs

4

: the transfer of funds between a payor bank and a collecting bank in order to complete transactions for customers