1
a
: one that leads or directs another's way
needed a guide for the safari
b
: a person who exhibits and explains points of interest
The museum guide was very helpful.
c
: something that provides a person with guiding information
used the stars as a guide to find their way back
d
e
: a person who directs another's conduct or course of life
He was my mentor and guide during the early years of my career.
2
a
: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something
The jigsaw was equipped with a guide.
b
: a ring or loop for holding the line of a fishing rod in position
c
: a sheet or a card with projecting tab for labeling inserted in a card index to facilitate reference
3
: a member of a unit on whom the movements or alignments of a military command are regulated
—used especially in commands
guide right
guided; guiding
1
: to act as a guide to : direct in a way or course
He guided us around the city.
2
a
: to direct, supervise, or influence usually to a particular end
You'll need a lawyer to guide you through the legal system.
b
: to superintend the training or instruction of
A respected educator guided his studies.
: to act or work as a guide
guider
noun
Synonyms
Examples of guide in a Sentence
Noun
We hired a guide for our trip to the mountains.
He was my friend and my guide in the early years of my career.
They used the stars as a guide to find their way back.
If past experience is any guide, we're in for a long and difficult project.
Verb
He guided us around the city.
He claims that there were unknown forces guiding the outcome of the election.
He carefully guided the ship into the harbor.
She guided her team to victory.
Let your conscience guide you.
Her example helped to guide me toward a career in medicine.
In his work, he has always been guided by a desire to help other people.
programs to help guide teenagers away from drug use
She had a guiding influence on my decision.
His guiding principle when he built his house was that bigger was better.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Joyce, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Read full article Get The Big To-Do Your guide to staying entertained, from live shows and outdoor fun to the newest in museums, movies, TV, books, dining, and more.
—Maura Farrelly, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
The Ohio Department of Education created a 19-page guide to understanding the report cards, which shows how stars will be used for other measurement areas.
—Zachary Smith, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2023
The hybrid rod blank is finished off with simple one piece, stainless steel guides ensuring many seasons of worry free fishing.
—Rob McDonald, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023
Our college football betting guide can help you get started.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Check out our guide to types of squashes and prepare for a bounty.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2023
What’s happening this weekend is Beyoncé, and Steven Vargas has the essential guide — with many other art events too.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Read our Best Govee Smart Lighting Kits guide for more recommendations.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 2 Sep. 2023
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Mitski’s incisive lyricism will always be a calling card, but these 11 lush, organic songs are worth getting lost in before her words help guide the listener back home.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
At the World Cup in 2022, Cha helped guide Team USA to gold-medal wins in 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 competition in the second division.
—David Gardner, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
This would hypothetically clear the way for new companies’ innovative products that would otherwise face difficulty attempting to gain any kind of foothold in a digital ecosystem ostensibly overseen and guided by Google.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
In designing the custom house, Michael Barclay of Barclay Home Design in Clackamas was guided by the horizontal planes, wide eaves and stylized, restrained ornamentation of the Prairie style made famous by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who connected natural elements in homes to their environment.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023
Peay replaced Richie Williams, who guided the Revolution for six games after Arena was placed on administrative leave by MLS in July.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
As experienced soldiers, Andriy and Maksym, both 35, guided the new recruits.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Such legacies — and lessons — of witnessing live on even after first-generation survivors have died, through their memoirs, writings, oral and video histories and other literary and artistic works, to help guide us through present-day threats.
—Diane Cole, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
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Noun
Ask for cooking help: Aaron Hutcherson and Becky Krystal are your guides to the kitchen.
—Amy Joyce, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Read full article Get The Big To-Do Your guide to staying entertained, from live shows and outdoor fun to the newest in museums, movies, TV, books, dining, and more.
—Maura Farrelly, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
The Ohio Department of Education created a 19-page guide to understanding the report cards, which shows how stars will be used for other measurement areas.
—Zachary Smith, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2023
The hybrid rod blank is finished off with simple one piece, stainless steel guides ensuring many seasons of worry free fishing.
—Rob McDonald, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023
Our college football betting guide can help you get started.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Check out our guide to types of squashes and prepare for a bounty.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2023
What’s happening this weekend is Beyoncé, and Steven Vargas has the essential guide — with many other art events too.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Read our Best Govee Smart Lighting Kits guide for more recommendations.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 2 Sep. 2023
Verb
It’s guided by the easy suspense and reliable thrill of betting big and winning.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Mitski’s incisive lyricism will always be a calling card, but these 11 lush, organic songs are worth getting lost in before her words help guide the listener back home.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
At the World Cup in 2022, Cha helped guide Team USA to gold-medal wins in 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 competition in the second division.
—David Gardner, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
This would hypothetically clear the way for new companies’ innovative products that would otherwise face difficulty attempting to gain any kind of foothold in a digital ecosystem ostensibly overseen and guided by Google.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
In designing the custom house, Michael Barclay of Barclay Home Design in Clackamas was guided by the horizontal planes, wide eaves and stylized, restrained ornamentation of the Prairie style made famous by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who connected natural elements in homes to their environment.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023
Peay replaced Richie Williams, who guided the Revolution for six games after Arena was placed on administrative leave by MLS in July.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
As experienced soldiers, Andriy and Maksym, both 35, guided the new recruits.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Such legacies — and lessons — of witnessing live on even after first-generation survivors have died, through their memoirs, writings, oral and video histories and other literary and artistic works, to help guide us through present-day threats.
—Diane Cole, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English gide, guide, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan guida, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, witan to know — more at wit
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of guide was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing guide
Articles Related to guide
Dictionary Entries Near guide
Cite this Entry
“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guide. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
guide
1 of 2 noun1
a
: one that leads or directs another on a course
b
: a person who shows and explains points of interest (as on a tour)
c
: something that provides guiding information
a street guide
2
: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something
guide
2 of 2 verb
guided; guiding
1
: to act as a guide : conduct
guide a group on a tour
2
a
: manage sense 1, direct
guide a boat through the rapids
guidable
adjective
ˈgīd-ə-bəl
Medical Definition
guide
noun
: a grooved director for a surgical probe or knife
More from Merriam-Webster on guide
Nglish: Translation of guide for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of guide for Arabic Speakers
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