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

• association
• board
• brotherhood
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

Examples of guild in a Sentence

after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild

Recent Examples on the Web

Freddie Kitchens, one of only a few holdovers from the old staff, and like Belichick a member of the ex-NFL coach guild, got a promotion and his salary doubled. —Luke Decock, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025

The Gary School Board has renamed the West Side High School auditorium in honor of its long-time theatre guild director, state Sen. Mark Spencer. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Drake was also accused of refusing to identify a person who rewrote the ending of the film, and who was not a guild member. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025

Basic guild member packages with ads typically cost $12 per month or $144 per year to access all the films and programming in the studio’s library. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

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