1. places where people establish a community or colony
2. agreements that resolve disputes or legal matters
Usage: legal
3. payments made to resolve claims or debts
Usage: financial

Examples

• Early European settlements in America faced many hardships.
• The mining company established settlements near the gold deposits.
• The lawyers reached settlements in both cases before trial.
• Insurance settlements were paid to all the accident victims.
• Ancient settlements can still be found throughout the region.
• The divorce settlement included custody arrangements for the children.
• Archaeological evidence shows settlements dating back thousands of years.