squatter

1 of 2

verb

squat·​ter ˈskwä-tər 

squattered; squattering; squatters

intransitive verb

: to go along through or as if through water

ducks squattering to the shore

squatter

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Examples of squatter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Spenard is named for the bootlegger and squatter Joe Spenard. —David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 1 June 2020

Noun

As the would-be proud new homeowners learned, the residence, owned by an absentee title-holder, had until very recently housed about thirty-plus squatters most if not all of whom apparently centered their squalid existences on drugs. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 May 2024

Dozens of people were evicted at the time, but the squatters returned in greater numbers. —Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 6 May 2024

But, also, allow the property owner to go after these squatters for damages. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 6 May 2024

Despite support from a GoFundMe campaign and grant approval from Alameda county, Horn announced in March that reopening the barbecue hot spot isn’t feasible at its original West Oakland location, which has been beset by squatters and vandals. —Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

One of Gordon Ramsay’s London pubs has been taken over by squatters, PEOPLE can confirm. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

Party-throwing squatters evicted from mansion near LeBron James’ Beverly Hills home News Analysis: The Supreme Court has right and far-right wings. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

Two Instagram accounts, Camden Art Cafe and Autonomous Winter Shelter, have identified themselves as the squatters, detailing plans on social media to turn the space into an art cafe. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2024

The squatters have more rights than the homeowners. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing squatter

• squatter sovereignty

Kids Definition

squatter

noun

squat·​ter

ˈskwät-ər

1

: one that squats

2

a

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

b

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

Legal Definition

squatter

noun

squat·​ter

ˈskwä-tər

: 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.