proprietor

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noun pro·pri·e·tor \ prə-ˈprī-ə-tər \

Definition of proprietor

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

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proprietorship

play \-ˌship\ noun

See proprietor defined for English-language learners

See proprietor defined for kids

Examples of proprietor in a Sentence

She is the proprietor of the store.
the proprietor of a used-car dealership

Recent Examples of proprietor from the Web

Taylor is the proprietor, the president and co-owner of several successful travel, culture and destination retail businesses in Little Havana and at MIA.

— by shayne benowitz, miamiherald, "‘Miami’s merchant to the millions’ began by breaking boundaries," 27 Aug. 2017
A Yiddish-language anti-Nazi feature from 1933 turned up amid the nitrate prints owned by the proprietor of a Brooklyn camera store.

— j. hoberman, New York Times, "Starring Nebbishes and Noodges, Yiddish Cinema Makes a Comeback," 28 July 2017
The plan was designed specifically for sole proprietors with no full-time employees (other than a spouse), such as freelancers or small-business owners.

— erin arvedlund, Philly.com, "Father of the 401(k) Ted Benna offers a new invention: Cheaper retirement plans," 17 July 2017
At my lodgings, Jags Beanstalk, I was met by the proprietor, Jags Brown.

— craig taylor, Smithsonian, "See Canada Through Fresh Eyes on a First Nations Tour," 10 July 2017
Adding to the nostalgia, former Kegler's Kove proprietor Steve Lander now owns the Blue Iguana.

— matt wake, AL.com, "The Alabama band a rock-star left behind rises again," 3 July 2017
As the porter, Daniel is a drunk who gets kicked around – literally – by the proprietor (John Pribyl), a onetime military man running the hotel with his wife (Tracy Michelle Arnold).

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "American Players Theatre turns to farce with 'A Flea in Her Ear'," 1 July 2017
The answer to that question is: TyJuan Mickey, the proprietor of the Sista's Catering booth at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during Essence Music Festival.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Fried ribs: a fabulous food find at Essence Music Festival," 30 June 2017
Medicaid is the only proprietor that provides long-term care.

— matt miller, Esquire, "55 Hours in a Republican Senator's Office, Defending Our Right to Live," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proprietor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of proprietor

alteration of ¹proprietary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1537

See Words from the same year

proprietor Synonyms

Synonyms

holder, owner, possessor

Related Words

co-owner, coproprietor; landlord, landowner

Near Antonyms

squatter; lessee, renter, tenant

PROPRIETOR Defined for English Language Learners

proprietor

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noun

Definition of proprietor for English Language Learners

: a person who owns a business or property

PROPRIETOR Defined for Kids

proprietor

play

noun pro·pri·e·tor \ prə-ˈprī-ə-tər \

Definition of proprietor for Students

:a person who owns something :owner

Law Dictionary

proprietor

play

noun pro·pri·e·tor \ prə-ˈprī-ə-tər \

legal Definition of proprietor

: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

Learn More about proprietor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proprietor Spanish Central: Translation of proprietor Nglish: Translation of proprietor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proprietor for Arabic speakers

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proprietor

Definition of proprietor

proprietorship

From the M-W Editors

Examples of proprietor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of proprietor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of proprietor

proprietor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

PROPRIETOR Defined for English Language Learners

proprietor

Definition of proprietor for English Language Learners

PROPRIETOR Defined for Kids

proprietor

Definition of proprietor for Students

Law Dictionary

proprietor

legal Definition of proprietor

Learn More about proprietor

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