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 of guild

• organization
• association
• institution
• society
• institute
• fraternity
• chamber
• brotherhood

Examples of guild in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, various factors, including changes in the cast and several guild strikes, have delayed Season Three of the show. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026

How much do guild wins and precursor awards actually matter? —Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026

Wunmi Mosaku won the BAFTA, but even when Sinners had its best-ever performance at SAG’s Actor Awards, the Brit couldn’t repeat the feat with the guild. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026

And it's definitely got the resume – with top prizes from British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globes, plus the producers' and directors' guilds – to go all the way. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026

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