artisan

noun

ar·​ti·​san ˈär-tə-zən 

-sən

chiefly British ˌä-tə-ˈzan

1

: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson

a skilled artisan

2

: a person or company that produces something (such as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods

—often used before another noun

artisan breads

artisanship

ˈär-tə-zən-ˌship 

-sən-

noun

Did you know?

Artisans aren't the same as artists, but it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. In the Middle Ages, artisans organized themselves into guilds. In every city each group of artisans—weavers, carpenters, shoemakers, and so on—had its own guild, which set wages and prices, kept standards high, and protected its members from outside competitors. In America, however, most artisans have always been fiercely independent. Today, when factories produce almost all of our goods, artisans usually make only fine objects for those who can afford them. And we now even include food among the artisan's crafts, so you can buy artisanal cheeses, breads, and chocolates—but probably not if you're watching your budget.

Synonyms of artisan

• craftsman

Examples of artisan in a Sentence

They sell rugs made by local artisans.

we visited a re-created 19th-century New England village that features an array of artisans—a cooper, a carpenter, a blacksmith, a potter, a glassblower

Recent Examples on the Web

Right beside him, an artisan diligently assembled the leather rose petals one-by-one, for the whole crowd to see exactly how the magic is made. —Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026

In the past, the hotel’s arcades were thriving centers for artisans and traders in textiles and jewelry. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026

Vendor and exhibitor applications are still being accepted, said the city’s news release, and those encouraged to fill out an application include local artists, jewelry makers and artisans, environmental groups and local government officials. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Charlotte Elich is a South Pearl lifer, spearheading many of the street’s staple events like farmers markets, winter fest and a festival celebrating artisans worldwide called Global Love Fest. —Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from an Upper Italian equivalent of Italian (Tuscan) artigiano, from arte "craft, art entry 1" (going back to Latin art-, ars) + -igiano, adjective suffix of appurtenance, from Vulgar Latin *-ēs- (going back to Latin -ensis, adjective suffix of place) + Latin -iānus -ian

Note: See note at parmesan.

First Known Use

circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for artisan

• partisan
• bipartisan
• nonpartisan

Kids Definition

artisan

noun

ar·​ti·​san ˈärt-ə-zən 

-sən

: a skilled worker

especially : one (as a carpenter) whose occupation requires skill with the hands