settler

noun

set·​tler ˈse-tᵊl-ər How to pronounce settler (audio)
ˈset-lər
Synonyms of settlernext
1
: one that settles something
a settler of disputes
2
: someone who settles in a new region or colony
the first settlers of New England

Synonyms of settler

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Examples of settler in a Sentence

settlers learning to live in peace with the natives in 1889 Jane Addams, in an effort to provide Chicago's latest wave of settlers with much-needed services, founded the city's first settlement house
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.
The history in Kaskaskia is as rich as the soil that attracted settlers in the first place and made it, for a time, Illinois’ most important place. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Seafood such as rockfish and crab dominated the diets of early Maryland settlers, NPR reported. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Gingerbread had been a stomach settler since the 17th century, according to Stephen Schmidt, a New York food historian. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for settler

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of settler was in 1598

Phrases Containing settler

Browse Nearby Words

settle on/upon (something)
settler
settler's-clock
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Cite this Entry

“Settler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settler. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

settler

noun
set·​tler ˈset-lər How to pronounce settler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a person who settles in a new region : colonist

More from Merriam-Webster on settler

Nglish: Translation of settler for Spanish Speakers

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