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
At Kathrin and Gaston’s wedding, the maid of honor was a woman named Inge Unzeitig, then 76, who is the proprietor of the Hotel Palais Porcia, at the eastern end of the nearby Wörthersee.
—
Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
For most sole proprietors, that period follows the calendar year—from January 1 through December 31.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The compliance checks are intended to ensure that proprietors and their employees are properly asking for identification before making the sale.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Without the same ties to the landscape and community, these proprietors might lack the know-how of tending to the land and its best interests at heart.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
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Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
For most sole proprietors, that period follows the calendar year—from January 1 through December 31.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The compliance checks are intended to ensure that proprietors and their employees are properly asking for identification before making the sale.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Without the same ties to the landscape and community, these proprietors might lack the know-how of tending to the land and its best interests at heart.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 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 5 Apr. 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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