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 face behind the counter at Westenhofer Hardware has changed since its beloved proprietor, Mike Westenhofer, passed away in 2024. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Mar. 2026

Zidler, in the 2001 Baz Luhrman movie about a composer falling in love with a cabaret star in Belle Époque Paris, was Harold Zidler, the proprietor of the Moulin Rouge, and played by Jim Broadbent. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026

Christopher Scott and Cody Fitzsimmons, proprietors of Oak Cliff’s Tureen gallery (where Muñoz also recently showed), lent an oversize Easter egg by Matthew Langan-Peck. —Benjamin Lima special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026

Hi Hospitality proprietor Natalia Levey and her husband Mark are spearheading the project. —Helen Freund, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 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