guild

noun

ˈgild 

variants or less commonly gild

1

: an association of people with similar interests or pursuits

especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen

2

: a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way

a feeding guild

guildship

ˈgil(d)-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• association
• board
• brotherhood
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

Examples of guild in a Sentence

after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild

Recent Examples on the Web

Rivera noted that the company had worked very closely with the Hollywood guilds around the time of the strikes to ensure that ethical standards are being upheld. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2024

To learn more about the guild, visit: HSVQuiltGuild.org. Day passes are $10; two-day passes are $15; children 13 and under are free. —Democrat-Gazette Staff, arkansasonline.com, 27 Sep. 2024

The enthusiasm that these substances arouse in the field of psychiatry is inversely correlated with the sad reality that even the most reactionary guilds within psychiatry struggle to admit. —Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024

The big picture: The tech guild represents the largest union of tech workers with bargaining rights in the country, per the NewsGuild. —Sara Fischer, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gilde, from Old Norse gildi payment, guild; akin to Old English gield tribute, guild — more at geld

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guild

• guild socialism

Kids Definition

guild

noun

variants also gild

ˈgild

: an association of persons with common interests or aims

especially : an association of merchants or craftsmen in the Middle Ages