artisan

noun

ar·​ti·​san ˈär-tə-zən 

-sən,

 chiefly British  ˌä-tə-ˈzan

1

: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson

a skilled artisan

2

: a person or company that produces something (such as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods

—often used before another noun

artisan breads

artisanship

ˈär-tə-zən-ˌship 

-sən-

noun

Did you know?

Artisans aren't the same as artists, but it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. In the Middle Ages, artisans organized themselves into guilds. In every city each group of artisans—weavers, carpenters, shoemakers, and so on—had its own guild, which set wages and prices, kept standards high, and protected its members from outside competitors. In America, however, most artisans have always been fiercely independent. Today, when factories produce almost all of our goods, artisans usually make only fine objects for those who can afford them. And we now even include food among the artisan's crafts, so you can buy artisanal cheeses, breads, and chocolates—but probably not if you're watching your budget.

Synonyms

• artificer
• crafter
• craftsman
• craftsperson
• handcraftsman
• handicrafter
• handicraftsman
• handworker
• tradesman

Examples of artisan in a Sentence

They sell rugs made by local artisans.

we visited a re-created 19th-century New England village that features an array of artisans—a cooper, a carpenter, a blacksmith, a potter, a glassblower

Recent Examples on the Web

Key features of the property include lobbies designed as entertaining spaces and culinary centers that will offer cooking demonstrations, and more than 50 annual Crafted at Appellation hands-on learning programs with community artisans. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Activities and Experiences The hotel hosts several events each month, from wine tastings and cocktail-making sessions to a monthly market showcasing local artisans and rotating exhibits at Paggi House. —Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025

The weekly event will also be featuring pop-up markets every third Saturday of the month through October, with local artisans showcasing handmade goods and other items, including original art, jewelry, stained glass, crochet items and more, organizers of the Batavia market said. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025

Now Feeling Crunch of Production Contraction Most of the set pieces were handcrafted by artisans from across Colombia, preserving centuries-old ancestral traditions. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from an Upper Italian equivalent of Italian (Tuscan) artigiano, from arte "craft, art entry 1" (going back to Latin art-, ars) + -igiano, adjective suffix of appurtenance, from Vulgar Latin *-ēs- (going back to Latin -ensis, adjective suffix of place) + Latin -iānus -ian

Note: See note at parmesan.

First Known Use

circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for artisan

• partisan
• bipartisan
• nonpartisan

Kids Definition

artisan

noun

ar·​ti·​san ˈärt-ə-zən 

-sən

: a skilled worker

especially : one (as a carpenter) whose occupation requires skill with the hands