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

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

However, the DfE confirmed its due diligence checks did not examine the financial background of independent schools' prospective proprietors.

From BBC

Tetraeder’s X account describes him as “Global Tetrahedron CEO, chairman, media proprietor, entrepreneur, human trafficker, thought leader, and venture capitalist.”

From Los Angeles Times

The proprietor of Maria’s Express said that she had voted for the vice president and predicted the candidate’s victory: “Everybody voted for her — my customers and the neighbors.”

From Los Angeles Times

Along the highway east of town, you will probably encounter Coyote, a 67-year-old junkyard proprietor with a booming baritone voice and a truck that says “UFO retrieval and repairs.”

From Los Angeles Times

Among those concerned are Jacob and Lindsey Dunn, proprietors of Sow Eden Organics, which operates out of a small space in La Verne.

From Los Angeles Times