proprietor
noun [ C ]
uk/prəˈpraɪətər/ us (abbreviation prop.)
the owner of a business, especially a hotel, a store, or a company that publishes newspapers:
Their father was the proprietor of an electrical and furniture store.
a small business proprietor
a garage/hotel/newspaper proprietor
PROPERTY
the owner of land or buildings:
The man claimed to be the proprietor of the disputed land.
He rose to become proprietor of Wye Hall, one of Maryland's historic estates.
LAW
the owner of a copyright (= the legal rights to a book, play, piece of music, etc.) or a patent (= the legal rights to a product):
The proprietor of a patent may wish to be selective about markets and granting licences.
See also
media proprietor
registered proprietor
sole proprietor