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 the aftermath of the attack, the settlers camped out on our land and have remained there ever since, preventing us from accessing it. — Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections in October after angering his fellow West Bank settlers by voting not to punish ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to serve in the military. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

An Israeli settler has been charged with reckless manslaughter for the killing of a prominent Palestinian activist last year, marking a rare instance of Israel prosecuting a settler for violence against Palestinians. — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

For decades Israeli Jewish settlers have been creating settlements there, taking more and more of the West Bank away from Palestinians. — Greg Dixon, NPR, 5 Aug. 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