Definition of squatter
: to go along through or as if through water
- ducks squattering to the shore
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Origin and Etymology of squatter
imitative
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
Recent Examples of squatter from the Web
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An unfinished maternity hospital in the poor suburb of São Gonçalo is occupied by squatters.
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And after all those years of the Pistons being squatters in somebody else’s building, this one was truly theirs.
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Deputy City Auditor Sarah Landis testified that the three houses all are frequented by squatters and have required many visits from city cleanup crews and the police.
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Assuming several different identities, at times something of a compassionate superheroine, Horacia bides her time among the lower depths, befriending squatters and street people.
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Typically, squatters snap up variations or misspellings of business or product names, often for less than $20 a pop.
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Sometimes claims were backed with guns; in a few cases, squatter and owner worked out a modus vivendi of sharing the property.
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Before it was fenced off, it was broken into and apparently used by squatters.
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The Burmese government contends the Rohingya are essentially squatters, although the two communities have lived side by side for centuries.
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
Definition of squatter for English Language Learners
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: someone who lives in a building or on land without the permission of the owner and without paying : someone who squats
Law Dictionary
squatter
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
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See words that rhyme with squatter Spanish Central: Translation of squatter Britannica English: Translation of squatter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squatter
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