guild

noun

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 noun

Examples of guild in a Sentence

after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Quilting guild hosts talk on Victorian undergarments Heritage Quilters Guild of South Suburbia will host a meeting at 7 p.m. May 20 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 651 E. 166th St., South Holland. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 Under the guild constitution, writers may appeal any discipline to the membership at an annual meeting. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025 Art guild puts on garden tours The Mother’s Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour hosted by the nonprofit San Dieguito Art Guild will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10-11 at eight North County homes featuring more than 30 exhibits by local artists. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025 Tax incentives or credits are the most straightforward of methods at the guilds and politicians’ hands. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for guild

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of guild was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guild. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on guild

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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