squatter

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verb squat·ter \ ˈskwä-tər \

Definition of squatter

intransitive verb

:to go along through or as if through water

ducks squattering to the shore

Origin and Etymology of squatter

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1785

See Words from the same year

squatter

noun

Definition of squatter

:one that squats: such as

a :one that settles on property without right or title or payment of rent

b :one that settles on public land under government regulation with the purpose of acquiring title

See squatter defined for English-language learners

See squatter defined for kids

Recent Examples of squatter from the Web

There was little money that first season of prospecting, so Steen set up the family in a rent-free squatter camp consisting of a small travel trailer and an eight-by-16-foot shack.

— aaron robinson, Car and Driver, "2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Crew Cab Diesel," 27 July 2017
Moreover, Baxter said squatters occupy many homes today, and many houses built for single families now contain two or more households.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "'Two Detroits': Even far from downtown, contrasts abound in city neighborhoods," 22 July 2017
Squatters took up residence in the building, and the rooms of the old apartments are filled with debris—appliances, bathtubs, piles of bricks.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "The National Public Housing Museum’s long journey home," 5 July 2017
Stage vet Esterman ranges from wild-eyed to calmly canny as Miriam, an artist and heir to a large fortune who lives like a squatter in her giant old home.

— john defore, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Can Hitler Happen Here?': Film Review," 16 June 2017
Confusion reigned minutes before starting time as squatters tangled with late-arriving patrons holding tickets to the seats that were being occupied.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Grant Park Music Festival opener goes on, soggily but surely," 15 June 2017
Brinkman, who was a squatter, was house-sitting for Rogell and Roberta John in the days before he is accused of killing them, the sheriff's office said.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "North Royalton woman's throat slit, daughters suffocated and strangled in brutal killings, judge says," 15 June 2017
Trademarks lie at the heart of these complaints because they are granted by foreign states and can be enormously valuable — whether they are intended as groundwork for future business activity or defensive measures to protect a brand from squatters.

— Washington Post, "China approves 9 Trump trademarks previously rejected," 14 June 2017
Brinkman was a squatter who was house-sitting for Rogell and Roberta John before they were killed, the Stark County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Suspect in five Northeast Ohio homicides contacted news reporter before arrest, police say," 13 June 2017

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

First Known Use of squatter

1788

SQUATTER Defined for English Language Learners

squatter

noun

Definition of squatter for English Language Learners

: someone who lives in a building or on land without the permission of the owner and without paying : someone who squats

Law Dictionary

squatter

noun squat·ter \ ˈskwä-tər \

legal Definition of squatter

:a person who occupies real property without a claim of right or title

Note: In most jurisdictions, a squatter cannot gain title to land through adverse possession because adverse possession requires possession of the property under a claim of right or color of title.

Learn More about squatter

See words that rhyme with squatter Britannica English: Translation of squatter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squatter

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squatter

Definition of squatter

Origin and Etymology of squatter

squatter

Definition of squatter

Recent Examples of squatter from the Web

First Known Use of squatter

SQUATTER Defined for English Language Learners

squatter

Definition of squatter for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

squatter

legal Definition of squatter

Learn More about squatter

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squatter

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Origin and Etymology of squatter

squatter

Definition of squatter

Recent Examples of squatter from the Web

First Known Use of squatter

SQUATTER Defined for English Language Learners

squatter

Definition of squatter for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

squatter

legal Definition of squatter

Learn More about squatter

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