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

Palestinian media and B’Tselem posted videos to social media showing a group of around 10 settlers standing adjacent to a Palestinian home in Qaryout. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

Historical accounts describe Sutter, a Swiss immigrant and early California settler, as enslaving Indigenous people and forcing tribes to work in inhumane and sometimes deadly conditions. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026

The Diocese of Arlington and Catholic University are trying to identify who is buried in the unmarked graves at a cemetery for the family of George Brent, one of Virginia’s earliest settlers. —Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2026

Others have issues with the imagery on the seal on the flag, which depicts a settler plowing the land as a Native American rides off on horseback into the distance. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 28 Feb. 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