1. a person who owns and operates a business or property

Examples

• The restaurant proprietor greeted customers at the door.
• She became the sole proprietor of the bookstore after her partner retired.
• The hotel proprietor invested in renovating the lobby.
• Local proprietors met to discuss the new shopping regulations.
• As proprietor of three coffee shops, he works long hours.
• The proprietor decided to expand the business to a second location.