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

Deadline reached out to the relevant studios and streamers about the guild letter. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024

Major guild strikes ended last year and the streaming bubble burst from 2022 has given platforms at least some time to recover since. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2024

If the tentative contract is not passed by guild members, the union will go back to the table with AMPTP. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

The plan was instantly criticized by the Los Angeles Times writer’s guild, which represents writers and reporters who work for the paper. —Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Dec. 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