livery company

noun

: any of various London craft or trade associations that are descended from medieval guilds

Examples of livery company in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the Middle Ages, butchery was a respected and skilled craft: the Worshipful Company of Butchers, one of the historic livery companies (or trade associations) of London, traces its roots back to 975 AD, while the York Butchers’ Gild appeared in the Freemen’s Rolls in 1272. Olivia Potts, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2024 Among the people to be discussed as part of the series includes Samuel Dent, the area’s first Black businessman who operated a livery company; and Walker Sales, who was the city’s second police officer, according to Summerfield. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 5 Apr. 2022 The present hall was designed by Philip Hardwick and opened in 1835, and is home to the Goldsmiths' Company, a livery company (basically a trade organization that evolved from London's medieval guilds). Emily Burack, Town & Country, 3 Apr. 2022 The right to own swans was granted to the Vintners and Dyers city livery companies in the 15th century. Emily Cleaver, Smithsonian, 31 July 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of livery company was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near livery company

Cite this Entry

“Livery company.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livery%20company. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on livery company

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!