guild

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

guildship

2 of 2

noun (2)

guild·​ship ˈgildˌship 

1

: guild sense 1a

2

: the status of a guild member

Synonyms of guild

Noun (1)

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

Examples of guild in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Participants also include national film bodies, representing a range of sales, production and distribution companies, as well as industry associations and guilds. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 June 2026

The guild received a record number of submissions for its 13th annual celebration of outstanding creative visual contributions of location professionals in contemporary and period films and TV shows, along with commercials and film commissions from around the world. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 June 2026

The guilds are in a tough position. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026

London joined the organization in 2018, desiring to bring a chapter of the guild to his community in Seattle. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English gilde, from Old Norse gildi payment, guild; akin to Old English gield tribute, guild — more at geld

Noun (2)

guild + -ship

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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