settler

noun

set·​tler ˈset-lər How to pronounce settler (audio)
ˈse-tᵊl-ər
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

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 An increase in clashes with Israeli settlers, as well as delays at checkpoints and road closures imposed by the Israeli military, are all adding to stress and aggravation felt by Palestinians here. D. Parvaz, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Created by David Milch, the show ran for three seasons and was inspired by real-life historical events in South Dakota, as the land was annexed and the population grew with more settlers. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 These reservations were entirely abandoned by 1831, their owners displaced and land resold to early English settlers. Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2024 The modern story of Gunung Padang begins in the late 19th century when Dutch settlers first became aware of the mighty pyramid just four hours south of Jakarta close to the village of Karyamukti. Discover Staff, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Interspersed throughout is footage of military intimidation and Israeli settler violence, shot by Adra, Abraham and the other two members of their collective, Palestinian photographer Hamdan Ballal and Israeli cinematographer and editor Rachel Szor. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024 The Israeli public has overwhelmingly lost what little faith remained in a two-state outcome, as a settler movement intent on dominating all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea has relentlessly risen to power. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 It was used by ancient peoples to connect their highly developed, fortified towns, and later became a major thoroughfare for tens of thousands of pioneering settlers and traders exploring new lands south and west in early America, connecting present day Middle Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. Bill Frist, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Biden also signed an executive order that imposed sanctions on four West Bank settlers who the administration says have committed violence against Palestinians, the most significant step taken against Israelis since the conflict began — though many have called on the administration to do more. Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'settler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of settler was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near settler

Cite this Entry

“Settler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settler. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

settler

noun
set·​tler ˈset-lər How to pronounce settler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a person who settles in a new region : colonist

More from Merriam-Webster on settler

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