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

Some organizations are experimenting with new community structures, digital guilds that provide continuity and belonging despite changing assignments. —Arafat Kabir, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Unlike a typical guild or association, Academy membership is not open to applications. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 May 2025

Vast triage structures evolved to determine who got to learn what, when: medieval guilds, say, or network news reports. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025

This panel explores innovative strategies—social media campaigns, membership guilds, direct-to-theater tech, and global platforms—that are reshaping impact film distribution. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 May 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