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
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
One of the proprietors makes snacks for humans: brown-butter Rice Krispies treats, cheddar-and-chive biscuits.
—
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
There are also opportunities for data proprietors that provide unique datasets that give tuned models unmatched insight, as well as AI Infrastructure vendors offering monitoring, compliance, and orchestration tools for safe, large-scale AI deployment.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
If your idea of an ideal accommodation involves generous front porches, homecooked breakfast, and proprietors that feel like longtime friends, consider one of Stuart’s lovely bed and breakfasts.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
But the idyllic natural scenery was real, as were Artaud and Girard, the inn’s charismatic proprietors.
—John Birdsall, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
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John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
There are also opportunities for data proprietors that provide unique datasets that give tuned models unmatched insight, as well as AI Infrastructure vendors offering monitoring, compliance, and orchestration tools for safe, large-scale AI deployment.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
If your idea of an ideal accommodation involves generous front porches, homecooked breakfast, and proprietors that feel like longtime friends, consider one of Stuart’s lovely bed and breakfasts.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
But the idyllic natural scenery was real, as were Artaud and Girard, the inn’s charismatic proprietors.
—John Birdsall, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
Cite this Entry
“Proprietor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proprietor. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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