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

• organization
• association
• fraternity
• club
• institution
• society
• league
• institute
• college

Examples of guild in a Sentence

after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild

Recent Examples on the Web

Louisville Nimble Thimbles, a quilting guild, donated 700 quilts to kids at Norton Children's Hospital in 2024. —Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2025

The guild’s shortform race comprises commercials, music videos, short films and web series. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025

Compared to traditional monoculture orchards, fruit tree guilds have several perks. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025

The commentary that has emerged around the election process has yielded some clues about what guild leaders are prepping for as a new round of master film and TV contract talks looms next year. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Aug. 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

Rhymes for guild

• billed
• build
• chilled
• drilled
• filled
• frilled
• gild
• grilled
• killed
• milled
• rilled
• shrilled

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