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

Conclave has a chance to change that trajectory at SAG, but that guild, with voting still open until Friday, won’t have a direct impact on Oscar with its winners as Oscar voting ends Tuesday. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025

To be eligible for the Oscar, a producer must have been vetted for awards eligibility by the PGA or have successfully appealed the guild’s refusal of such eligibility. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

And with her own guild’s Artios Awards marking their 40th anniversary on Wednesday, Casting Society President Destiny Lilly would know. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025

The guild provides school supplies, learning toys and layettes, and funds a shopping trip for parents to shop for Christmas gifts and supports children’s birthday and holiday parties and entertainment. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 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

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