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

My guide in East Palestine was Kenny, a friend of JK’s and the proprietor of Styles by Kenneth, a hair salon. —Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026

The proprietor of the station was happy to help a confused driver with the charging adapter. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Franco Nuschese, the restaurant’s beloved proprietor, held court at his corner table, checking in on dinner attendees who’d managed to escape the Hilton. —Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026

Seema Prasad, proprietor and owner of Miel in Nashville, sees this trend, too. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 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