settler

noun

set·​tler ˈse-tᵊl-ər 

ˈset-lər

1

: one that settles something

a settler of disputes

2

: someone who settles in a new region or colony

the first settlers of New England

Synonyms of settler

• pioneer
• colonist

Examples of settler in a Sentence

settlers learning to live in peace with the natives

in 1889 Jane Addams, in an effort to provide Chicago's latest wave of settlers with much-needed services, founded the city's first settlement house

Recent Examples on the Web

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Khanna said the settlers blocked the road and then called the military. — Dorit Long, ABC News, 11 July 2026

In a statement about the incident involving Khanna, the Israeli military said troops and police intervened after receiving a report about the settlers blocking vehicles. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Speaking with Reuters on Thursday in a Palestinian village, Khanna said his ⁠group’s van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles a day earlier while touring a part of the southern West Bank where residents face frequent settler attacks. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 July 2026

Speaking with Reuters on July 9 in a Palestinian village, Khanna said his group's van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles a day earlier while touring a part of the southern West Bank where residents face frequent settler attacks. — Rami Ayyub, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing settler

• settler-colonial
• settler colonialism
• settler-colonialist
• settler colony

Kids Definition

settler

noun

set·​tler ˈset-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

: a person who settles in a new region : colonist