Legal Definitions - Settle

Definition: To settle means to end or resolve; to reach a conclusion; to reach a decision on a cause of action; to come to an agreement or understanding; to pay or liquidate a debt. It also means to take up residence in a place, or to colonize.

• After a long discussion, we were able to settle on a plan for the project.
• The court case was settled out of court, with the defendant agreeing to pay a sum of money to the plaintiff.
• The company settled its debts with its creditors.
• My family settled in this town when I was a child.
• The first settlers arrived in this area over 200 years ago.

These examples illustrate the different meanings of the word "settle." In the first three examples, "settle" means to resolve or come to an agreement. In the fourth example, "settle" means to take up residence in a place. In the fifth example, "settle" means to colonize or establish a new community.