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

In 2019, veteran Las Vegas motel proprietor Mehar and his family bought it. —Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

The guesthouse proprietor’s wife hangs herself the day after his arrival, and sensitive Wojnicz is alarmed that no one, including her husband, Willi Opitz, appears to care. —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024

Will the real proprietor of Lana Del Rey’s wedding dress please stand up, please stand up? —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2024

Rat Scabies, drummer for the pioneering punk band the Damned, has a nice cameo as the proprietor of a music store that also deals in guns. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 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