1. plural of proprietary; products, medicines, or substances that are owned, controlled, or patented by a company and not available to competitors
Usage: often used in pharmaceutical and commercial contexts
2. plural of proprietary; persons who own or have a proprietary interest in a business or property
Usage: less common usage; historical or formal contexts

1. relating to or denoting a product, formula, or process that is owned and controlled by a company and not publicly disclosed
Usage: attributive use; commonly seen in business and technology

Examples

• The pharmaceutical company manufactures several proprietaries that are protected by patent law.
• These proprietaries are not available as generic alternatives.
• The software uses proprietaries algorithms that give it a competitive advantage.
• Many of the company's proprietaries have been bestsellers for decades.
• Consumers often pay more for proprietaries because of brand recognition and quality assurance.
• The firm guards its proprietaries formulas very carefully.
• Proprietaries in the cosmetics industry are frequently advertised on television.