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

Advertisement For years, Ben-Gvir remained on the fringes of Israeli politics, a familiar presence at settler demonstrations but an unlikely candidate for national office. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

The administration has also encouraged Israel to crack down on settler violence in the West Bank and cut a longer-term deal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. — James Laporta, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

As explored in my recent book, this dialect formed from linguistic variation that came in with colonial-era settlers from different places and stations. — Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

The following day, settlers attacked diplomats from Belgium, France and Poland, as well as representatives of the Catholic Church, in the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 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