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

• organization
• association
• fraternity
• club
• institution
• society
• league
• institute
• college

Examples of guild in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Undeterred, the guild is keeping the momentum going. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

To ensure pollination, plant trees in guilds and avoid broad-spectrum synthetic pesticides. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025

Toronto has parlayed its People’s Choice wins into Oscar runs for American Fiction and The Eyes of Tammy Faye, while Telluride remains a magnet for critics and guilds, though both lag far behind Venice’s strike rate. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025

Employees, dealers, and art advisers liken the duopoly to a pair of medieval guilds, or sports teams, or theatre companies, doomed and inspired in equal measure by a state of permanent competition. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 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