livery company
noun
: any of various London craft or trade associations that are descended from medieval guilds
Examples of livery company in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By the Middle Ages, butchery was a respected and skilled craft: the Worshipful Company of Butchers, one of the historic livery companies (or trade associations) of London, traces its roots back to 975 AD, while the York Butchers’ Gild appeared in the Freemen’s Rolls in 1272.
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Olivia Potts, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2024
Among the people to be discussed as part of the series includes Samuel Dent, the area’s first Black businessman who operated a livery company; and Walker Sales, who was the city’s second police officer, according to Summerfield.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 5 Apr. 2022
The present hall was designed by Philip Hardwick and opened in 1835, and is home to the Goldsmiths' Company, a livery company (basically a trade organization that evolved from London's medieval guilds).
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 3 Apr. 2022
The right to own swans was granted to the Vintners and Dyers city livery companies in the 15th century.
—Emily Cleaver, Smithsonian, 31 July 2017
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Olivia Potts, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2024
Among the people to be discussed as part of the series includes Samuel Dent, the area’s first Black businessman who operated a livery company; and Walker Sales, who was the city’s second police officer, according to Summerfield.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 5 Apr. 2022
The present hall was designed by Philip Hardwick and opened in 1835, and is home to the Goldsmiths' Company, a livery company (basically a trade organization that evolved from London's medieval guilds).
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 3 Apr. 2022
The right to own swans was granted to the Vintners and Dyers city livery companies in the 15th century.
—Emily Cleaver, Smithsonian, 31 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Livery company.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livery%20company. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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