proprietor

American  

[pruh-prahy-i-ter] / prəˈpraɪ ɪ tər /

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.

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proprietor British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of proprietor

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

Example Sentences

From a technical standpoint, Brent rising to $200 or even $240 a barrel is “becoming more likely,” Andrew Addison, proprietor of the Institutional View research service said in a note Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

One person moved by the tale was Morris Michtom, the proprietor of a Brooklyn, N.Y., candy store and newsstand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Family and friends were able to support borrowers through new, so-called joint borrower, sole proprietor mortgages.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

Andy, proprietor of The Institutional View research service, joins Barron’s Lauren Rublin and Ben Levisohn for an in-depth technical look at stocks, bonds, commodities, volatility, and economic trends.

From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025

The proprietor hails him, but Lefty only waves.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides