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

• holder
• owner
• possessor

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

Rodolphe Peters, proprietor, Champagne Pierre Peters Our estate has been producing Champagne for over 100 years. —J'nai Gaither, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

The next morning, he will be rudely shooed away from another shop by a proprietor, who would doubtless treat a white child differently. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Inside the Fair View Hotel, its diminutive proprietor, Belinda Mulrooney, proffered menus boasting oysters and steak. —Melanie Haiken, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

The restaurant’s proprietor, Taavo Somer, is also the same person behind the fashion favorite Hudson Valley hotel Inness. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of proprietary entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing proprietor

• co-proprietor

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