Illustration of settle
settled; settling
ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈset-liŋ
1
: to place so as to stay
2
a
: to establish in residence
b
: to furnish with inhabitants : colonize
3
a
: to cause to pack down
b
: to clarify by causing dregs or impurities to sink
4
: to make quiet or orderly
5
a
: to fix or resolve conclusively
settle the question
b
: to establish or secure permanently
settle the order of royal succession
c
: to conclude (a lawsuit) by agreement between parties usually out of court
d
: to close (something, such as an account) by payment often of less than is due
6
: to arrange in a desired position
7
: to make or arrange for final disposition of
settled his affairs
8
of an animal
: impregnate
1
: to come to rest
2
a
: to sink gradually or to the bottom
b
: to become clear by the deposit of sediment or scum
c
: to become compact by sinking
3
a
: to become fixed, resolved, or established
a cold settled in his chest
b
: to establish a residence or colony
settled in Wisconsin
—often used with down
4
a
: to become quiet or orderly
b
: to take up an ordered or stable life
—often used with down
marry and settle down
5
a
: to adjust differences or accounts
b
: to come to a decision
—used with on or upon
settled on a new plan
c
: to conclude a lawsuit by agreement out of court
6
of an animal
: conceive
: a wooden bench with arms, a high solid back, and an enclosed foundation which can be used as a chest
Examples of settle in a Sentence
Verb
They were determined to settle the dispute before going home for the day.
The two sides have settled their differences.
We need to settle this question once and for all.
That settles it. I can't take the day off from work, so I'm not going.
His grandparents were immigrants from Germany who settled in Pennsylvania.
He always thought he'd leave the city and settle in the country.
the people who settled the West
Recent Examples on the Web
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In June, Khoury rejected an offer from Honda to settle his case for $1,000, saying that replacing the minivan’s tires around every 25,000 miles would cost much more than that.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 June 2025
The original settles at No. 7 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, while the Cyril remix slips one space to No. 3 on the Dance Digital Song Sales tally.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for settle
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Verb
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In June, Khoury rejected an offer from Honda to settle his case for $1,000, saying that replacing the minivan’s tires around every 25,000 miles would cost much more than that.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
This 'Stitch' settles on being a fine retread instead of a rabble-rousing romp.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 June 2025
The original settles at No. 7 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, while the Cyril remix slips one space to No. 3 on the Dance Digital Song Sales tally.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for settle
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
settle
1 of 2 noun
set·tle
ˈset-ᵊl
: a long wooden bench with arms and a high solid back
settle
2 of 2 verb
settled; settling
ˈset-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to place so as to stay
settled into a chair
2
a
: to establish in a place to live : colonize
settled the West
b
: to make one's home
settle in the country
3
: to make or become quiet : calm
rocking settled the baby
4
: decide sense 1
settle the question
5
: to put in order : make final arrangements
settle an estate
settle a bill
6
: to adjust differences
settle a quarrel
7
a
: to come to rest
birds settling on a branch
b
: to descend usually slowly and stay down
mist settling in the valley
8
a
: to sink gradually or to the bottom
the foundations of the house settled
—often used with outdust particles settling out
b
: to sink in a liquid
sediment settles to the bottom
9
: to apply oneself
—usually used with down
settle down to study
10
: to take up an ordered life
—often used with down
marry and settle down
Medical Definition
settle
verb
set·tle
ˈset-ᵊl
settled; settling
of an animal
: impregnate sense 1a
of an animal
: conceive
Legal Definition
settle
verb
set·tle
settled; settling
1
: to resolve conclusively
settle a question of law
2
: to establish or secure permanently
a settled legal principle
3
: close
settle the sale of securities
settle the estate
4
: to resolve a disagreement about (a court order)
no hearing to consider these objections and to settle the order had been conducted—Saba v. Gray, 314 N.W.2d 597 (1981)
Saba v. Gray, 314 N.W.2d 597 (1981)5
a
: to fix (a price) by mutual agreement
b
: to conclude (a lawsuit) by entering into an agreement negotiated by the parties usually out of court
c
: to close (as an account) by payment
also
: to close by compromise and payment of less than the full amount claimed or due
1
: to conclude a lawsuit by entering into an agreement
the plaintiff chose to settle out of court
2
: to make a settlement of a transfer of funds
3
: to adjust differences or accounts
settled with his creditors
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