proprietor

noun

pro·​pri·​e·​tor prə-ˈprī-ə-tər 

1

: one granted ownership of a colony (such as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land

2

a

: a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner

b

: one having an interest (such as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right

Synonyms

• owner

Examples of proprietor in a Sentence

She is the proprietor of the store.

the proprietor of a used-car dealership

Recent Examples on the Web

Deduction Sole proprietors and owners of pass-through businesses like limited liability corporations (LLCs), S corporations, and partnerships may be eligible for a deduction of up to 20% to lower the tax rate for qualified business income. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025

Also on camera is Edmond Addo, the proprietor of a run-down outdoor cinema in Accra. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025

Ergo, the nostalgic dramedy, wherein Francis Guinan plays the titular and venerable proprietor of Phil’s TV and Radio, and Fischer plays his daughter, Sam. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of proprietary entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing proprietor

• co-proprietor

Rhymes for proprietor

• quieter

Kids Definition

proprietor

noun

pro·​pri·​etor

p(r)ə-ˈprī-ət-ər

1

: a person to whom ownership of a colony is granted

2

: a person who is owner

the proprietor of the store

proprietorship

-ˌship

noun

Legal Definition

proprietor

noun

pro·​pri·​e·​tor prə-ˈprī-ə-tər 

: one who has legal right or exclusive title to something : owner

also : one (as a lessee) having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute or exclusive right