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

• organization
• association
• fraternity
• club
• institution
• society
• league
• institute
• college

Examples of guild in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Like other liberal historians, I’m outraged by Trump’s cowardly attacks on our guild. —Jonathan Zimmerman, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025

According to the guild, Sasha Stewart is unopposed for Secretary-Treasurer. —William Earl, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025

Registration is free and limited to members of the film and TV academies as well as guild members. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025

Employees, dealers, and art advisers liken the duopoly to a pair of medieval guilds, or sports teams, or theatre companies, doomed and inspired in equal measure by a state of permanent competition. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for guild

• billed
• build
• chilled
• drilled
• filled
• frilled
• gild
• grilled
• killed
• milled
• rilled
• shrilled

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