1. a person who owns land or property outright, without owing rent or mortgage to anyone else
Usage: primarily historical or legal context; common in British property law
2. in medieval and early modern England, a person of a certain property qualification who had the right to vote in county elections
Usage: historical; archaic

Examples

• As a freeholder, she had complete control over her estate and owed no rent to a landlord.
• The freeholders of the county gathered to cast their votes in the election.
• Unlike a leaseholder, a freeholder owns the property in perpetuity.
• He inherited the status of freeholder from his father, along with several acres of land.
• The freeholder was responsible for all maintenance and property taxes on the land.