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

/ prəˌpraɪəˈtɔːrɪəl, prəˈpraɪətə /

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

Other Word Forms

• proprietorial adjective
• proprietorially adverb
• proprietorship noun
• nonproprietor noun
• proprietress noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proprietor¹

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