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

The compliance checks are intended to ensure that proprietors and their employees are properly asking for identification before making the sale. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Without the same ties to the landscape and community, these proprietors might lack the know-how of tending to the land and its best interests at heart. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Many a Reddit thread and law firm blog post have popped up to answer questions about how proprietors ought to respond to lawsuits. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Guests will appreciate the original art and the vintage decor, acquired at auctions and restored by the proprietor. —Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 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