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

Proper Insurance's squatter coverage covers legal expenses and loss of revenue that could come from a squatter, and also property damage that is caused, according to Massey. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024

Bornstein sees these posts — and the people who call him a domain squatter: someone who sits on a domain name solely to sell it for big money. —Alex Mayyasi, thehustle.co, 4 Oct. 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.