settle

verb

set·tle | \ ˈse-tᵊl

settled; settling\ ˈset-liŋ

, ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ \

Definition of settle

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to place so as to stay

2a : to establish in residence

b : to furnish with inhabitants : colonize

3a : to cause to pack down

b : to clarify by causing dregs or impurities to sink

4 : to make quiet or orderly

5a : to fix or resolve conclusively settle the question

b : to establish or secure permanently settle the order of royal succession

c : to conclude (a lawsuit) by agreement between parties usually out of court

d : to close (something, such as an account) by payment often of less than is due

6 : to arrange in a desired position

7 : to make or arrange for final disposition of settled his affairs

8 of an animal : impregnate

intransitive verb

1 : to come to rest

2a : to sink gradually or to the bottom

b : to become clear by the deposit of sediment or scum

c : to become compact by sinking

3a : to become fixed, resolved, or established a cold settled in his chest

b : to establish a residence or colony settled in Wisconsin —often used with down

4a : to become quiet or orderly

b : to take up an ordered or stable life —often used with down marry and settle down

5a : to adjust differences or accounts

b : to come to a decision —used with on or upon settled on a new plan

c : to conclude a lawsuit by agreement out of court

6 of an animal : conceive

settle for

: to be content with

settle one's hash

: to silence or subdue someone by decisive action

settle the stomach

: to remove or relieve the distress or nausea of indigestion

settle

noun

Definition of settle (Entry 2 of 2)

: a wooden bench with arms, a high solid back, and an enclosed foundation which can be used as a chest

Other Words from settle Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about settle

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Synonyms & Antonyms for settle

Synonyms: Verb

lay, sediment

Antonyms: Verb

raise

Choose the Right Synonym for settle

Verb

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. she decided to sell her house determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. determined the cause of the problem settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of settle in a Sentence

Verb

They were determined to settle the dispute before going home for the day. The two sides have settled their differences. We need to settle this question once and for all. That settles it. I can't take the day off from work, so I'm not going. His grandparents were immigrants from Germany who settled in Pennsylvania. He always thought he'd leave the city and settle in the country. the people who settled the West

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Benchmark Brent crude gained nearly 20% in the first moments of trading Monday before settling down to 10% higher. — Washington Post, "The Latest: Saudis to invite global experts to investigate," 18 Sep. 2019 Benchmark Brent crude prices gained nearly 20% in the first moments of trading Monday before settling down to more than 10% higher as trading continued. — Tali Arbel, chicagotribune.com, "Oil prices surge after Saudi plant attack — likely to raise airline fuel costs, Asian export prices and what you pay at the pump," 16 Sep. 2019 Brent crude oil, an international gauge, surged nearly 20 percent when markets in Asia opened before settling down to about a 10 percent spike as trading continued. — Editors, USA TODAY, "Antonio Brown's accuser meets with NFL, UAW goes on strike: 5 things you need to know Monday," 16 Sep. 2019 Little is known about how big such plumes might be, but computer models suggest silt released in some parts of the ocean could drift 10 kilometers or more before settling back onto the sea floor, potentially smothering creatures living there. — Warren Cornwall, Science | AAAS, "Mountains hidden in the deep sea are biological hot spots. Will mining ruin them?," 12 Sep. 2019 The Eagles initially tried him at cornerback before settling him in at receiver. — Matt Goul, cleveland.com, "No. 4 St. Edward slams Detroit Cass Tech, 41-20, a year after Hail Mary pass handed Eagles a bitter loss," 7 Sep. 2019 Robert Smith, who retired in 2001 shortly after running for 1,521 yards at age 28, had planned to go to medical school before settling into a career as a college football analyst and a life of, among other things, amateur astronomy. — Michael Rosenberg, SI.com, "Andrew Luck and the Path to Walk Away," 6 Sep. 2019 Lawyers there also argued that the state was not her employer, before settling last month for $125,000. — Vivian Wang, New York Times, "She Sued the State Over Harassment. Then the Gaslighting Began, She Said.," 6 Sep. 2019 The Citadel frustrated the Tide last November with 275 yards and a 10-10 halftime tie before settling on a 50-17 Alabama win. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, "How Alabama responded to Duke’s surprise triple option," 5 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Kids are still on summer break and the working world is finally using their vacation time to soak up the late summer rays before fall settles in. — Sarah Madaus, Town & Country, "Calling All Travelers: These Are the Official TSA Liquid Rules," 31 July 2019 Wood fits into the upside category and settles in as a frontcourt option behind Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Analyzing the Detroit Pistons roster and predicting the depth chart," 22 July 2019 Disappointment from Dettori fans and excited shrieks from Deirdre backers bubble around the grandstands, but soon the genteel air settles and conversations resume. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN, "Goodwood brings glorious end to English social season," 8 Aug. 2019 Let the actress's natural waves be your hair inspiration ‘til the cool September air settles in. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Rachel Brosnahan Steps Out With Carrie Bradshaw Curls in New York City," 30 July 2019 Kids won't get to play on the playground for another few days until the concrete settles. — London Gibson, Indianapolis Star, "Volunteers build east Indianapolis church a playground in one day," 18 July 2019 Overnight success Night deepens, and calm settles over the water near the city campground. — Matt Tunseth, Anchorage Daily News, "Working the night shift: Snagging salmon in Seward," 11 June 2019 As the stellar dust settles, the remains include a neutron star or a black hole. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Two white dwarfs collide, may end up as neutron star," 29 May 2019 Elsewhere in precious metals, front-month silver futures fell 0.9% to $13.9740 a troy ounce, its lowest settle since January 2016. — Amrith Ramkumar, WSJ, "Gold Prices Fall on Stronger U.S. Dollar, Rate Worries," 12 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'settle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for settle

Verb

Middle English, to seat, bring to rest, come to rest, from Old English setlan, from setl seat

Noun

Middle English, place for sitting, seat, chair, from Old English setl; akin to Old High German sezzal seat, Latin sella seat, chair, Old English sittan to sit

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Dictionary Entries near settle

Statistics for settle

Last Updated

20 Sep 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for settle

The first known use of settle was in 1515

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More Definitions for settle

settle

verb

English Language Learners Definition of settle

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to end (something, such as an argument) by reaching an agreement

: to make a final decision about (something)

: to move to a place and make it your home

settle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of settle (Entry 2 of 2)

: a long wooden bench with arms, a high solid back, and often with space under the seat which can be used to store things

See the full definition for settle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

settle

verb

set·tle | \ ˈse-tᵊl

settled; settling

Kids Definition of settle

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to come to rest Birds settled on a branch. Dust settled on the table.

2 : to make a home I'd like to settle in the country.

3 : to make quiet : calm The tea settled my nerves.

4 : decide sense 1 It's settled then—we'll each pay our own way.

5 : to place so as to stay I settled myself in a chair.

6 : to sink gradually to a lower level The foundations of the house settled.

7 : to sink in a liquid

8 : to give attention to Settle down to work now.

9 : to fix by agreement They are hoping to settle the case out of court.

10 : to put in order They settled their affairs.

11 : to complete payment on Waiter, we're ready to settle our bill.

12 : to bring to an end They settled their argument.

13 : to take up a stable life You're not a kid anymore. It's time to settle down.

14 : to be content with He settled for his second choice.

settle

noun

Kids Definition of settle (Entry 2 of 2)

: a long wooden bench with arms and a high solid back

settle

verb

set·tle | \ ˈset-ᵊl

settled; settling

Medical Definition of settle

transitive verb

of an animal : impregnate sense 1a

intransitive verb

of an animal : conceive

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settle

verb

set·tle

settled; settling

Legal Definition of settle

transitive verb

1 : to resolve conclusively settle a question of law

2 : to establish or secure permanently a settled legal principle

3 : close settle the sale of securities settle the estate

4 : to resolve a disagreement about (a court order) no hearing to consider these objections and to settle the order had been conducted — Saba v. Gray, 314 N.W.2d 597 (1981)

5a : to fix (a price) by mutual agreement

b : to conclude (a lawsuit) by entering into an agreement negotiated by the parties usually out of court

c : to close (as an account) by payment also : to close by compromise and payment of less than the full amount claimed or due

intransitive verb

1 : to conclude a lawsuit by entering into an agreement the plaintiff chose to settle out of court

2 : to make a settlement of a transfer of funds

3 : to adjust differences or accounts settled with his creditors