settlement
noun
set·tle·ment
ˈse-tᵊl-mənt 
1
: the act or process of settling
2
a
: an act of bestowing or giving possession under legal sanction
b
: the sum, estate, or income secured to one by such a settlement
4
5
: an agreement composing differences
6
: payment or adjustment of an account
Examples of settlement in a Sentence
I got the house in the divorce settlement.
The parties have not been able to reach a settlement in the case.
We were hoping for a quick settlement of the dispute between the neighbors.
English settlements in North America.
This was the island's first colonial settlement.
They came upon the ruins of an ancient settlement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last month, Miami commissioners had a closed-door attorney-client session known as a shade meeting to discuss the pension lawsuit, indicating that a potential settlement was on the horizon.
—
Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Terms of the settlement The settlement, between the state's Department of the Environment (MDE) and the developer, homebuilder and contractor, requires that improved measures be put in place to prevent pollution and ensure compliance with environmental laws.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Critics have said the settlement would violate the separation of powers.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 19 May 2026
That settlement prompted a probe from North Carolina’s state auditor, who has not yet released his findings.
—Julia Coin
may 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for settlement
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Terms of the settlement The settlement, between the state's Department of the Environment (MDE) and the developer, homebuilder and contractor, requires that improved measures be put in place to prevent pollution and ensure compliance with environmental laws.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Critics have said the settlement would violate the separation of powers.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 19 May 2026
That settlement prompted a probe from North Carolina’s state auditor, who has not yet released his findings.
—Julia Coin
may 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for settlement
Cite this Entry
“Settlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settlement. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
settlement
noun
set·tle·ment
ˈset-ᵊl-mənt
1
: the act of settling : the condition of being settled
2
: final payment (as of a bill)
3
a
: a place or region newly settled
b
: a small village
4
Legal Definition
settlement
noun
set·tle·ment
1
: the act or process of settling
2
a
: an agreement reducing or resolving differences
especially
: an agreement between litigants that concludes the litigation
the states finally agreed upon a settlement and a consent decree —W. J. Brennan, Jr.
W. J. Brennan, Jr. entered into a property settlement prior to the divorce
b
: a formal and permanent grant or conveyance
c
: the sum, estate, or income granted or paid under a settlement
if the monetary limits of a defendant's insurance policy can be discovered in order to obtain reasonable settlements—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.3
: closing
settlement costs
4
: the transfer of funds between a payor bank and a collecting bank in order to complete transactions for customers
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