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

That makes this collection especially exciting and also valuable for the Television Academy and key guild voters in attendance, making Contenders TV a kind of one-stop shopping opportunity to hear from creators and stars over the course of the weekend. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026

And while there were no significant improvements for compensation for artificial intelligence, the new guild codified the prior wins made in 2023. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026

The guilds’ standoff with the studios was in large part due to actor and writer concerns about AI compromising their intellectual property and stealing their jobs. —Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

The event will be attended by an audience of TV Academy and guild voters. —William Earl, Variety, 24 Apr. 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