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
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
However, as time passed, settlers eventually brought their families to Cleveland, according to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
—
Zachary Smith, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
By the 1600s, more and more settlers arrived and began herding cattle and horses.
—Anna Mahan, Country Living, 10 Sep. 2023
California’s complex system of water rights took shape starting in the mid-1800s, when settlers saw the state’s water as abundant, and when a Gold Rush prospector could stake claim to river flows simply by nailing a notice to a tree.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Some early settlers may have seen divine providence in the name.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
Rabbit Hash in Boone County, which today is famous for having a dog as the mayor, was initially named for all the rabbits the early settlers ate.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2023
Behind the mariner who transported settlers to the Virginia Colony in the early 17th century lies a campus of brick Colonial and Georgian-style buildings named after public officials, university administrators and wealthy donors.
—Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 5 Sep. 2023
Behind the mariner who transported settlers to the Virginia Colony in the early 17th century lies a 75-acre campus of brick Colonial and Georgian-style buildings named after public officials, university administrators and wealthy donors.
—Brandi Kellam and Louis Hansen, Virginia Center For Investigative Journalism At Whro, Essence, 5 Sep. 2023
Introductory title cards explain an 18th-century government policy of inviting foreign settlers to cultivate the land, with little success.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
Zachary Smith, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
By the 1600s, more and more settlers arrived and began herding cattle and horses.
—Anna Mahan, Country Living, 10 Sep. 2023
California’s complex system of water rights took shape starting in the mid-1800s, when settlers saw the state’s water as abundant, and when a Gold Rush prospector could stake claim to river flows simply by nailing a notice to a tree.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Some early settlers may have seen divine providence in the name.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
Rabbit Hash in Boone County, which today is famous for having a dog as the mayor, was initially named for all the rabbits the early settlers ate.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2023
Behind the mariner who transported settlers to the Virginia Colony in the early 17th century lies a campus of brick Colonial and Georgian-style buildings named after public officials, university administrators and wealthy donors.
—Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 5 Sep. 2023
Behind the mariner who transported settlers to the Virginia Colony in the early 17th century lies a 75-acre campus of brick Colonial and Georgian-style buildings named after public officials, university administrators and wealthy donors.
—Brandi Kellam and Louis Hansen, Virginia Center For Investigative Journalism At Whro, Essence, 5 Sep. 2023
Introductory title cards explain an 18th-century government policy of inviting foreign settlers to cultivate the land, with little success.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near settler
Cite this Entry
“Settler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settler. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on settler
Nglish: Translation of settler for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of settler for Arabic Speakers
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