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 of guild

• organization
• association
• institution
• society
• institute
• fraternity
• chamber
• brotherhood

Examples of guild in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

And all of it is strictly out-of-pocket, no matter how great your guild insurance might be. —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026

Inside the guild building this week, writers’ paychecks were piling up, unprocessed by the union’s roughly 115-person staff. —Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026

As these Seedance videos amassed millions of views on social media, industry guilds like SAG-AFTRA and the Motion Picture Assn. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

All upcoming guild events are also cancelled, including the two meetings set this week to discuss the WGA’s bargaining priorities ahead of talks with the AMPTP, guild leadership said. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026

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