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 of proprietor

• 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

This weekend, Elizabeth Hall, a 15-year wedding planning veteran and the proprietor of Elizabeth Hall Events for nine years, is putting on a wedding at the Ocean House resort in Rhode Island. —Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

Yuji Akagawa, a grandfather in his seventies, was the proprietor and key administrator. —Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Having a private studio to escape to in the garden is every yard proprietor’s fantasy. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026

And Breakfast 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, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of proprietary entry 2, by substitution of -or entry 1 for -ary 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