settlement
SEH-tuhl-muhnt
Settlement (noun) means a formal agreement that resolves a dispute, often involving payment. Example: “They reached a settlement before the case went to trial.”
noun
1
A formal agreement that resolves a dispute, often involving payment.
"They reached a settlement before the case went to trial."
"The insurance settlement covered most of the repair costs."
"The two firms agreed a settlement and avoided a long court battle."
2
A community of people who have established themselves in a new or previously unoccupied area.
"Archaeologists uncovered an ancient settlement near the river."
"The early settlement grew into a thriving town."
"The explorers built a small settlement beside the lake."
How to use settlement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an agreement that ends a dispute, or a place where people have set up a community.
Common pairings
reach a settlement
human settlement
out-of-court settlement
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Word forms
- Plural
- settlements
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They reached a _____ before the case went to trial.
Etymology
From settle + -ment.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for settlement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for settlement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “settlement” mean?
The word “settlement” means a formal agreement that resolves a dispute, often involving payment. In plain terms, either an agreement that ends a dispute, or a place where people have set up a community.
How do you pronounce “settlement”?
“Settlement” is pronounced SEH-tuhl-muhnt (/ˈsɛ.təl.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “settlement” in a sentence?
Here is “settlement” used in a sentence: “They reached a settlement before the case went to trial.”
What part of speech is “settlement”?
“Settlement” is a noun.
Is “settlement” a common word?
“Settlement” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “settlement” have?
“Settlement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal agreement that resolves a dispute, often involving payment.
What is the difference between a settlement and a judgment?
A settlement is a voluntary agreement in which the parties themselves resolve a dispute, usually before or during a trial. A judgment is a decision imposed by a court after hearing the case. Settlements are negotiated and often confidential; judgments are ordered by a judge and become part of the public record.
Is a settlement legally binding?
Yes. Once both sides sign, a settlement becomes a binding contract that can be enforced in court if either party fails to honour it. Because it is legally final, most settlements include terms releasing the other side from further claims arising from the same dispute.
What are the types of settlement?
Common forms include out-of-court settlements reached privately between parties, structured settlements that pay out in instalments over time, and lump-sum settlements paid all at once. Many disputes — from personal-injury and employment claims to commercial disagreements — end this way rather than going to a full trial.
What is an example of a settlement?
If someone injured in a car accident sues the driver, the two sides might agree that the driver's insurer pays a fixed sum in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. That negotiated payment, ending the dispute without a court verdict, is a settlement.
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