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

• artificer
• crafter
• craftsman
• craftsperson
• handcraftsman
• handicrafter
• handicraftsman
• handworker
• tradesman

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

Each one will take the artisans 40 hours to complete, according to the brand. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024

From different vaults run by various overseers to the endless deserted sands of California and into the lawless city of Filly, the artisans worked tirelessly to ensure no detail was left unattended. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Show the making of a product, the artisans behind it, the journey from idea to shelf. —Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

In the workshop, visitors can watch artisans craft custom pieces for clients like Cartier and the nearby Coquillade Provence resort. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024

Here, artisans showcase their craft, weaving intricate baskets, sculpting clay figurines, and painting vibrant canvases that capture the essence of New Orleans. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024

See the artisans at Kwok Kee Wood Ware Sculpture who often sit outside the shop, carving and painting figures traditionally used by fishing families for ancestor worship. —Tiffany May, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

When the world slowly opened back up during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the artisan took advantage of the limited crowds to visit museums. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024

Max & Gio Historically, Bologna was known for cobblers, and at this little boutique in the city’s Jewish Ghetto, artisans still make men’s shoes by hand. —Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024

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

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