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

Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026

The proprietors plan to split the space into areas where influencers can create content utilizing the natural light in the front, a study area in the middle and a quiet section in the back. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Having blurted out my enthusiasm for all things James Joyce (hardly original among visitors to Dublin), I was promptly steered in the direction of PJ Murphy, proprietor and presiding genius of Sweny’s, a former pharmacy on Lombard Street, not far from the hotel. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026

The damage was swift and severe – business in January was down around 40% at local restaurants, several proprietors previously told The Denver Post. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 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