English Reference
Noun

resettlement

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US /ɹiˈsɛtəɫmənt/ UK /ɹɪsˈɛtəlmənt/ re·set·tle·ment UK spelling resettlements

n.the process of moving people to a new place to live, usually because they had to leave their original home. This often happens because of war, natural disasters, or government projects.

n.the act or process of moving people to a different place to live on a permanent basis. Often used in the context of refugees, displaced persons, or urban development projects.


SIMPLE

The government organized the resettlement of the flood victims.

CONTEXTUAL

After the war ended, the international agency focused on the resettlement of thousands of families into safer regions.

COMPLEX

Successful resettlement requires more than just housing; it necessitates the provision of social services, employment opportunities, and cultural integration support for the arriving population.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance or program.

A man has received threats from the Taliban after his work for the Afghan police was revealed by a Ministry of Defence leak and the UK refused his application for resettlement.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026

About half of England and Wales’s 86,000 prisoners are held in category C prisons, which specialise in preparing offenders for work and resettlement.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

From re- + settlement.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated