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 of artisan

• craftsman

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

Nearly all of the gold produced annually in South Sudan comes from artisans who are vulnerable to the whims of armed groups and export is mostly in the form of smuggling. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025

The weaving technique enables creative storytelling brought to life through statement pieces, capsule collections, and collaborations with artisans or artists—breathing new life into this traditionally durable workwear fabric, Ajimal said. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

Families can stay in eco-conscious lodges like Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, cruise with operators who protect Amazon ecosystems, and visit traditional markets to shop for souvenirs made by local artisans. —Shawna Huffman Owen, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025

Hand-crafted in the US by skilled artisans, the Robertson uses premium padding and a slat-roll mattress support system that removes the need for a box spring. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 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