settlement
SET-uhl-muhnt
/ˈsetəlmənt/
An official agreement intended to resolve a dispute or conflict.
A settlement often involves a financial payment or a formal contract that ends a legal case.
The story behind the word. From the verb 'settle', which originally meant to 'seat' someone or to make something 'fixed' or 'stable'. A settlement 'fixes' a problem so it doesn't move anymore.
Word relationships
- resolution: Resolution is the state of being solved; settlement is the specific agreement that solves it.
- disagreement: A disagreement is the ongoing conflict that a settlement aims to end.
Commonly confused with
- judgment: A judgment is forced by a judge; a settlement is usually agreed upon by both parties.
Word family
- settle (verb): To reach an agreement or resolve a dispute.
Collocations
- reach a settlement
- out-of-court settlement
- settlement agreement
Example sentences
- "The parties reached a settlement out of court, avoiding a public trial." Legal news
- "The union leaders are reviewing the latest settlement offer from the company." Labor
Memory hook
Settlement: You 'settle' the score and 'settle' into a chair because the work is done. Settlement = Final deal.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a 'settlement' meaning a small village or colony.
Fun facts
- The term 'structured settlement' refers to a legal agreement where money is paid out in installments rather than a lump sum.
Related words
Explore more words
compromise, dispute, negotiate, accord, resolution, arbitrate
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.