1
a
: one that leads or directs another's way
needed a guide for the safari
b
: a person who exhibits and explains points of interest
The museum guide was very helpful.
c
: something that provides a person with guiding information
used the stars as a guide to find their way back
d
e
: a person who directs another's conduct or course of life
He was my mentor and guide during the early years of my career.
2
a
: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something
The jigsaw was equipped with a guide.
b
: a ring or loop for holding the line of a fishing rod in position
c
: a sheet or a card with projecting tab for labeling inserted in a card index to facilitate reference
3
: a member of a unit on whom the movements or alignments of a military command are regulated
—used especially in commands
guide right
guided; guiding
1
: to act as a guide to : direct in a way or course
He guided us around the city.
2
a
: to direct, supervise, or influence usually to a particular end
You'll need a lawyer to guide you through the legal system.
b
: to superintend the training or instruction of
A respected educator guided his studies.
: to act or work as a guide
guider
noun
Synonyms
Examples of guide in a Sentence
Noun
We hired a guide for our trip to the mountains.
He was my friend and my guide in the early years of my career.
They used the stars as a guide to find their way back.
If past experience is any guide, we're in for a long and difficult project.
Verb
He guided us around the city.
He claims that there were unknown forces guiding the outcome of the election.
He carefully guided the ship into the harbor.
She guided her team to victory.
Let your conscience guide you.
Her example helped to guide me toward a career in medicine.
In his work, he has always been guided by a desire to help other people.
programs to help guide teenagers away from drug use
She had a guiding influence on my decision.
His guiding principle when he built his house was that bigger was better.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Tsai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The city’s new website will feature a sorting guide.
—Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 12.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend, or check out our San Diego guides for more ideas.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Suddenly our guide, Alex Phiri, stopped and raised his hand, bringing his finger to his lips.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Vionic, for instance, landed itself on Oprah’s beloved gift guide for three consecutive years.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Scroll on to read Travel + Leisure’s guide to Charlotte, North Carolina.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
Update: April 6, 2024, 8:30 am: This guide was updated to include new guidance for DuckDuckGo and Ghostery, as well as to bring some descriptions of browser providers' data collection policies up to date.
—David Nield, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
This is part of Off Season Italy, a collection of guides highlighting the year-round appeal of Italy's most popular destinations, courtesy of our favorite local tastemakers.
—Maddalena Fossati, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Republican lawmakers created legislation to guide how it was spent, which is where the PFAS bill came into play.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
The rise of proxy advisers: Institutional investors, who have stakes in many companies, rely on proxy advisers — firms that review company data — to guide their voting on corporate decisions due to the challenge of assessing each company themselves.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
When the pilot’s plane engine suffers a total electrical shutdown and runs out of fuel, a mysterious pilot (played by Travolta) appears in the mist to guide him to safety.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
For years, Tesla and federal regulators have been aware of problems with Autopilot following lane lines, including cars being guided in the wrong direction of travel and placed in the path of cross-traffic — with sometimes fatal results.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Israel has purchased much of its critical equipment from the United States, including fighter jets, helicopters, air defense missiles, and both unguided and guided bombs, which have been dropped in Gaza.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Tribes are being consulted to guide the project, officials said, but some have claimed they’re being sidelined.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
For Muslims, for instance, the sighting of the moon has long signaled the start of the month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and religious reflection that traces its roots to the seventh century C.E.
Since then, Muslims have turned to the skies to guide their Ramadan observances.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Robinhood offers educational resources, including articles, tutorials, and investment guides, covering topics such as stock market 101, investing strategies and financial planning.
—Stephanie Tsai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The city’s new website will feature a sorting guide.
—Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 12.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend, or check out our San Diego guides for more ideas.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Suddenly our guide, Alex Phiri, stopped and raised his hand, bringing his finger to his lips.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Vionic, for instance, landed itself on Oprah’s beloved gift guide for three consecutive years.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Scroll on to read Travel + Leisure’s guide to Charlotte, North Carolina.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
Update: April 6, 2024, 8:30 am: This guide was updated to include new guidance for DuckDuckGo and Ghostery, as well as to bring some descriptions of browser providers' data collection policies up to date.
—David Nield, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
This is part of Off Season Italy, a collection of guides highlighting the year-round appeal of Italy's most popular destinations, courtesy of our favorite local tastemakers.
—Maddalena Fossati, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
Verb
But this is a debate about which kind of economics should guide policy, rather than abandoning it altogether as the GOP has done.
—TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Republican lawmakers created legislation to guide how it was spent, which is where the PFAS bill came into play.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
The rise of proxy advisers: Institutional investors, who have stakes in many companies, rely on proxy advisers — firms that review company data — to guide their voting on corporate decisions due to the challenge of assessing each company themselves.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
When the pilot’s plane engine suffers a total electrical shutdown and runs out of fuel, a mysterious pilot (played by Travolta) appears in the mist to guide him to safety.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
For years, Tesla and federal regulators have been aware of problems with Autopilot following lane lines, including cars being guided in the wrong direction of travel and placed in the path of cross-traffic — with sometimes fatal results.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Israel has purchased much of its critical equipment from the United States, including fighter jets, helicopters, air defense missiles, and both unguided and guided bombs, which have been dropped in Gaza.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Tribes are being consulted to guide the project, officials said, but some have claimed they’re being sidelined.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
For Muslims, for instance, the sighting of the moon has long signaled the start of the month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and religious reflection that traces its roots to the seventh century C.E.
Since then, Muslims have turned to the skies to guide their Ramadan observances.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English gide, guide, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan guida, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, witan to know — more at wit
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of guide was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing guide
Articles Related to guide
Dictionary Entries Near guide
Cite this Entry
“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guide. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
guide
1 of 2 noun1
a
: one that leads or directs another on a course
b
: a person who shows and explains points of interest (as on a tour)
c
: something that provides guiding information
a street guide
2
: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something
guide
2 of 2 verb
guided; guiding
1
: to act as a guide : conduct
guide a group on a tour
2
a
: manage sense 1, direct
guide a boat through the rapids
guidable
adjective
ˈgīd-ə-bəl
Medical Definition
guide
noun
: a grooved director for a surgical probe or knife
More from Merriam-Webster on guide
Nglish: Translation of guide for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of guide for Arabic Speakers
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