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

This preservation is ensured through strict weavers’ guild regulations, a vigilant (both positive and negative) neighborliness, and careful resource management. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

The Writers Guild Staff Union said late Thursday that 82% of its membership has voted to authorize the work stoppage, accusing guild management of bad faith bargaining. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026

In a June 2024 email to the Producers Guild of America, Lively implored the guild to give her a PGA tag as a producer of the film, according to court documents. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

Unlike the ancient alchemists’ guilds or modern elites, science is not secret, nor gated by family descent or social ties. —Micah Altman, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 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