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
The proprietor was the cashier, known to all of us.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
Louise Brealey has also been cast as flying instructor and Quidditch coach Rolanda Hooch, while Anton Lesser will play wand proprietor Garrick Ollivander.
—EW.com, 14 July 2025
One potential data point indicating this possibility is recent Commerce Department figures showing growth in proprietors’ income—a proxy for small businesses—flatlining in May.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 13 July 2025
After moving to the area with his family in 2022, proprietor Andrew Pearson saw an opportunity to bring a fine dining experience to a vacant restaurant space on Main Street.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
Louise Brealey has also been cast as flying instructor and Quidditch coach Rolanda Hooch, while Anton Lesser will play wand proprietor Garrick Ollivander.
—EW.com, 14 July 2025
One potential data point indicating this possibility is recent Commerce Department figures showing growth in proprietors’ income—a proxy for small businesses—flatlining in May.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 13 July 2025
After moving to the area with his family in 2022, proprietor Andrew Pearson saw an opportunity to bring a fine dining experience to a vacant restaurant space on Main Street.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proprietor
Cite this Entry
“Proprietor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proprietor. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share