guild

American  

[gild] / gɪld /

Or gild

noun

1. an organization of persons with related interests, goals, etc., especially one formed for mutual aid or protection.

2. any of various medieval associations, as of merchants or artisans, organized to maintain standards and to protect the interests of its members, and that sometimes constituted a local governing body.

3. Botany. a group of plants, as parasites, having a similar habit of growth and nutrition.

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guild British  

/ ɡɪld /

noun

1. an organization, club, or fellowship

2. (esp in medieval Europe) an association of men sharing the same interests, such as merchants or artisans: formed for mutual aid and protection and to maintain craft standards or pursue some other purpose such as communal worship

3. ecology a group of plants, such as a group of epiphytes, that share certain habits or characteristics

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Etymology

Origin of guild

before 1000; Middle English gild ( e ) < Old Norse gildi guild, payment; replacing Old English gegyld guild; akin to German Geld money, Gothic -gild tax

Example Sentences

Especially in Hollywood, where two guilds recently went on strike in part to protect their members from its perceived threat.

From Los Angeles Times

His first call was to the head of the local butchers' guild.

From BBC

In 2023, the guild secured various AI protections by establishing that AI isn’t a writer and nothing it produces is considered literary material.

From Los Angeles Times

The negotiations are happening as WGA West’s own staff members have been on strike, forcing the guild to call off its L.A.-based award show.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was playing with someone else in our guild.”

From Literature

Related Words

• federation