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

The violence came as Israel’s government presses ahead with new settlements in the West Bank and attacks by settlers — including arsons, shootings and beatings — have intensified as attention shifts to the Iran war. —Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

At least 10 Palestinians were injured last night in attacks in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers, who rampaged through nearby villages after a funeral for a settler killed in a car crash a Saturday night. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026

Videos posted online showed settlers torching cars and buildings, with at least 10 Palestinians reported injured, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

An extension of the kind of settler-colonial conquest of the American West, and the dispossessions of indigenous people that have been practiced for a century or so. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 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