settlement

noun

set·​tle·​ment ˈse-tᵊl-mənt How to pronounce settlement (audio)
1
: the act or process of settling
2
a
: an act of bestowing or giving possession under legal sanction
b
: the sum, estate, or income secured to one by such a settlement
3
a
: occupation by settlers
b
: a place or region newly settled
c
: a small village
4
5
: an agreement composing differences
6
: payment or adjustment of an account

Examples of settlement in a Sentence

I got the house in the divorce settlement. The parties have not been able to reach a settlement in the case. We were hoping for a quick settlement of the dispute between the neighbors. English settlements in North America. This was the island's first colonial settlement. They came upon the ruins of an ancient settlement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to a 2024 analysis by the law firm Morgan Lewis, less than half of a percent of second requests were subject to settlement under the Biden administration, a sizable decrease from 1.04% during the first Trump administration and 1.42% during the second Obama administration. Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025 So my feeling is that there was never any real attempt on the part of the U.S. to follow up on that and actually try to negotiate some kind of diplomatic settlement here. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 This week could offer you an opportunity to increase your nest egg or see a large chunk of cash arrive, whether in the form of a settlement, bonus, inheritance, line of credit or other boon. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 22 June 2025 The O’Keefe’s are seeking $50,000 in damages, according to filings, and the case could go to trial if a settlement is not reached first. Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for settlement

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of settlement was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Settlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settlement. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

settlement

noun
set·​tle·​ment ˈset-ᵊl-mənt How to pronounce settlement (audio)
1
: the act of settling : the condition of being settled
2
: final payment (as of a bill)
3
a
: a place or region newly settled
b
: a small village
4

Legal Definition

settlement

noun
set·​tle·​ment
1
: the act or process of settling
2
a
: an agreement reducing or resolving differences
especially : an agreement between litigants that concludes the litigation
the states finally agreed upon a settlement and a consent decree W. J. Brennan, Jr.
entered into a property settlement prior to the divorce
b
: a formal and permanent grant or conveyance
c
: the sum, estate, or income granted or paid under a settlement
if the monetary limits of a defendant's insurance policy can be discovered in order to obtain reasonable settlementsJ. H. Friedenthal et al.
3
: closing
settlement costs
4
: the transfer of funds between a payor bank and a collecting bank in order to complete transactions for customers

More from Merriam-Webster on settlement

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