squatter

[ skwot-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that squats.
2. a person who settles on land or occupies property without title, right, or payment of rent.
3. a person who settles on land under government regulation, in order to acquire title.

squatter

/ ˈskwɒtə /

noun

1. a person who occupies property or land to which he has no legal title
2. in Australia
   1. (formerly) a person who occupied a tract of land, esp pastoral land, as tenant of the Crown
   2. a farmer of sheep or cattle on a large scale
3. (in New Zealand) a 19th-century settler who took up large acreage on a Crown lease

Other Words From

• squatter·dom noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squatter¹

First recorded in 1775–85; squat + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Fuschia Hayes, a resident of the Senator Hotel since 2020, said the reduced security has allowed drug dealers to cycle in and out and squatters to fill empty rooms.

From Los Angeles Times

Many squatters in the tent city log in each day to the U.S. government app CBP One in hopes of securing an asylum appointment at the border and being allowed into the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

As Benson points out, “The family Steinbeck was writing about was actually a composite of several families he had encountered in visiting one squatters’ camp after another.”

From Salon

He said that, several months ago, squatters backed a moving truck up to the home, apparently ready to take up residence.

From Los Angeles Times

The construction site has been an ongoing issue for the neighborhood, attracting squatters and forcing first responders to put out a number of small fires there after it was abandoned at the end of 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• settler