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 festival will feature soul food dishes from more than 100 small business vendors and food service proprietors, as well as live entertainment and activities. —Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026

While each proprietor adds their own spin, the proceedings follow a general format. —Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 13 May 2026

There’s Fran Houser, the late, widely beloved proprietor of the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. —Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Rodrigo de Medeiros Siqueira, 33, the proprietor of Rodrigo Beauty at 464 Granite Ave. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 8 May 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