settlement

UK: /ˈsɛt^əlmənt/ US: /ˈsɛtəlmənt/ ,(set′l mənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

set•tle•ment /ˈsɛtəlmənt/   n. 

1. the act or state of moving into or settling in a place, or the state of being settled:
   [uncountable] a colony for settlement in the south.
2. a colony, esp. in its early stages:
   [countable] a small settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.
3. [countable] a small community, as in a thinly populated area.
4. Communications, Business an agreement signed after labor negotiations between union and management:
   [countable] to reach a settlement before the strike deadline.
5. the satisfying of a claim or demand:
   [countable] reached a settlement out of court.
6. Sociology [countable] Also called ˈset•tle•ment ˌhouse. an establishment in a poor area providing social services to local residents.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

set•tle•ment  (set′l mənt), n. 

1. the act or state of settling or the state of being settled.
2. the act of making stable or putting on a permanent basis.
3. a state of stability or permanence.
4. an arrangement or adjustment, as of business affairs or a disagreement.
5. Communications, Business an agreement signed after labor negotiations between union and management.
6. Business the terms reached in this agreement.
7. the settling of persons in a new country or place.
8. a colony, esp. in its early stages.
9. a small community, village, or group of houses in a thinly populated area.
10. a community formed and populated by members of a particular religious or ideological group:
    a Shaker settlement.
11. the satisfying of a claim or demand;
    a coming to terms.
12. Law
    • final disposition of an estate or the like.
    • the settling of property, title, etc., upon a person.
    • the property so settled.
13. British Terms
    • legal residence in a specific place.
    • (of a pauper) the right to claim food and shelter from an official agency or specific town or district.
14. Sociology Also called set′tlement house′. Social Work. an establishment in an underprivileged area providing social services to local residents.
15. a subsidence or sinking of all or part of a structure.

• settle¹ + -ment 1620–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

settlement / ˈsɛt^əlmənt/ noun

1. the act or state of settling or being settled
2. the establishment of a new region; colonization
3. a place newly settled; colony
4. a community formed by members of a group, esp of a religious sect
5. a public building used to provide educational and general welfare facilities for persons living in deprived areas
6. a subsidence of all or part of a structure
7. the payment of an outstanding account, invoice, charge, etc
8. (as modifier): settlement day
9. an adjustment or agreement reached in matters of finance, business, etc
10. a conveyance, usually to trustees, of property to be enjoyed by several persons in succession
11. the deed or other instrument conveying such property