settlement meaning and examples

2025-09-02

Meaning

Settlement is a noun with several meanings depending on context:

  1. Agreement/Resolution – an official arrangement that ends a dispute, often legal or financial.
  2. Community/Colony – a place where people establish a community to live.
  3. Payment/Finalization – the act of paying money that is owed or completing a financial transaction.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Noun (countable/uncountable depending on use).

  • Typical patterns:

    • reach a settlement (agreement)
    • sign a settlement (legal/financial context)
    • establish a settlement (community context)
    • settlement of a debt/claim

Common Phrases

  • Out-of-court settlement – a legal agreement reached without going to trial.
  • Peace settlement – an agreement that ends conflict.
  • Early settlement – paying off a loan before the due date.
  • Colonial settlement – a community established in a new land.

Collocations

  • reach/achieve/accept a settlement
  • negotiate a settlement
  • settlement agreement
  • settlement of debts/claims
  • historic settlement

Examples

  1. The two companies finally reached a settlement after months of negotiations.
  2. The settlers built a small settlement near the river.
  3. She made the final settlement of her credit card debt last week.
  4. The peace settlement ended years of conflict between the two countries.
  5. They offered him a large sum as part of the settlement.
  6. The early settlement of the loan saved them thousands in interest.
  7. An out-of-court settlement was reached to avoid lengthy litigation.
  8. The historic settlement attracted tourists interested in colonial history.
  • Agreement
  • Resolution
  • Arrangement
  • Community
  • Colony
  • Payment