proprietor

[ pruh-prahy-i-ter ]

noun

1. the owner of a business establishment, a hotel, etc.
2. a person who has the exclusive right or title to something; an owner, as of real property.
3. a group of proprietors; proprietary.

proprietor

/ prəˈpraɪətə; prəˌpraɪəˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. an owner of an unincorporated business enterprise
2. a person enjoying exclusive right of ownership to some property
3. history a governor or body of governors of a proprietary colony

Derived Forms

• proprietorial, adjective
• proˈprietress, noun:feminine
• proˈprietorship, noun

Other Words From

• pro·pri·e·to·ri·al [pr, uh, -prahy-i-, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• pro·prie·tori·al·ly adverb
• pro·prie·tor·ship noun
• nonpro·prie·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proprietor¹

First recorded in 1630–40; propriet(ary) + -or ²

Example Sentences

Even small proprietors will need smartphone and tech knowledge that they may not wish to obtain.

From Ozy

They are primarily sole proprietors or what are called microbusinesses that have just a few employees.

From Washington Post

Disputed origins are practically mandatory for regional foods, as are intensely felt loyalties to different proprietors.

From Eater

Advertising revenue in the newspaper industry peaked in 2005, and the overall decline since then has put tremendous pressure on all newspaper proprietors.

From Washington Post

The nine-digit number is “assigned to employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, certain individuals, and other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes.”

From ProPublica

But as an old man, he became proprietor of a palace fit for a king—one he built stone-by-stone with his own two hands.

From The Daily Beast

He was the proprietor of a grimy chicken joint in Rochester, New York.

From The Daily Beast

More than any other media proprietor, Rupert Murdoch had an intuitive revelation about the value of news as a commodity.

From The Daily Beast

Seyed, the proprietor, tells us that there is always a way to keep the police quiet.

From The Daily Beast

Once I was pregnant, I embraced my own femininity and settled into my role as decision maker and proprietor.

From The Daily Beast

The landed proprietor still redeemed, day after day, portions of his involved estate.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same instant the landed proprietor rose from his chair, and was about to depart likewise.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the fourth son of a peasant proprietor of Lectourne, a little town on the slopes of the Pyrenees.

From Project Gutenberg

The stout gentleman in plush walked in, and the landed proprietor pointed to the door.

From Project Gutenberg

In some of the mines a few hours' stoppage was a serious matter, as it would cost the proprietor as much as 70l.

From Project Gutenberg