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

But it’s easy to see why a proprietor might hesitate, since a “Pistols Welcome” banner might alienate other customers.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

Elsewhere, many agencies operate with only a business license and a sole proprietor or small staff.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fatherly proprietor of a Times Square ping-pong parlor where Marty trains?

From The Wall Street Journal

The proprietors of Desert 5 Spot in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood also pride themselves on having an eclectic playlist.

From The Wall Street Journal