settler

noun

set·​tler ˈse-tᵊl-ər 

ˈset-lər

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

• colonial
• colonist
• colonizer
• frontiersman
• homesteader
• pioneer

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

The influx of settlers and tourists displaced Native Hawaiians, limited their access to land, and diluted their cultural heritage, according to academics. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Previous government attempts to attract more settlers have had little success — in large part because of a lack of job opportunities and the long distance from major cities. —Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

These incursions devastated crops, while plummeting wheat prices during the Great Depression compounded the struggles of the soldier settlers and other farmers. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

At the turn of the 20th century, allotment and leasing acts opened up land to white settlers. —Cy Neff, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing settler

• settler colonial
• settler colonialism
• settler-colonialist
• settler colony

Kids Definition

settler

noun

set·​tler ˈset-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

: a person who settles in a new region : colonist