settlement

Universal Words noun 1 [C] an official agreement that ends an argument between two people or groups: to negotiate a peace settlement * The management and unions have reached a settlement over new working conditions. * an out-of-court settlement (= money that is paid to sb or an agreement that is made to stop sb going to court) 2 [U] the action of reaching an agreement: the settlement of a claim / dispute 3 [C] (law) the conditions, or a document stating the conditions, on which money or property is given to sb: a divorce / marriage / property settlement 4 [U] the action of paying back money that you owe: the settlement of a debt * a cheque in settlement of a bill * Settlement is made monthly by direct debit. 5 [C] a place where people have come to live and make their homes, especially where few or no people lived before: signs of an Iron Age settlement * a mining / rural settlement 6 [U] the process of people making their homes in a place: the settlement of the American West