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

As the restaurant filled up, its proprietor, Michael McCarty, came by and dispensed business cards. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Business proprietors can opt for a Venmo Business account, which comes with a bevy of unique features. —PCMAG, 13 Mar. 2025

First stop, a local pizzeria, where the proprietor — who, like everyone else in Newton, knows Juliana — teaches Grant the proper way to make a pie. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Glenn Close met the proprietors through a mutual friend and became a fan on her first visit. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 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