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

• holder
• owner
• possessor

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

For now, at least, the proprietors seemed unconcerned about their guest’s ability to meet his obligations. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Five years after the crash, the proprietor of Donna Blue, Joao Luiz Malago, a stout, balding Brazilian national in his early fifties, appeared at a bond hearing in Miami, though not specifically because of the Gulfstream. —Penn Bullock, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2024

This Fall Despite Ethical Concerns and Ongoing Lawsuits One person said the plans were discussed at the highest level of the Standard and in consultation with Lord Lebedev, the newspaper’s proprietor. —Jake Kanter For Deadline, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2024

Chef-owner Crista Luedtke is also the proprietor of the Boon Hotel + Spa, which offers mid-century-style fireplace suites, luxury glamping tents, and one gleamingly cute vintage camper built for two. —Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of proprietary entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing proprietor

• co-proprietor

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