proprietor
noun
pro·pri·e·tor
prə-ˈprī-ə-tər 
1
: one granted ownership of a colony (such as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land
2
a
: a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner
b
: one having an interest (such as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right
Examples of proprietor in a Sentence
She is the proprietor of the store.
the proprietor of a used-car dealership
Recent Examples on the Web
But Marjorie Lyon will keep her Tennessee home, along with any proceeds generated from her sale of Lockheed Martin stock that was gifted to her by the store’s longtime proprietor, Dent Myers, according to a settlement agreement filed Thursday.
—
Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026
For Hispanic entrepreneurs, many of whom are first-generation business owners, immigrants, or sole proprietors, this risk is especially acute.
—Julio Fuentes, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Elaine Grossinger Etess, the third-generation Jewish proprietor of the famed Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, has died at 98.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
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Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026
For Hispanic entrepreneurs, many of whom are first-generation business owners, immigrants, or sole proprietors, this risk is especially acute.
—Julio Fuentes, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Elaine Grossinger Etess, the third-generation Jewish proprietor of the famed Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, has died at 98.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
Cite this Entry
“Proprietor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proprietor. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
proprietor
noun
pro·pri·e·tor
prə-ˈprī-ə-tər
: one who has legal right or exclusive title to something : owner
also
: one (as a lessee) having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute or exclusive right
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