guilds

Cultural  

1. Organizations of artisans in the Middle Ages that sought to regulate the price and quality of products such as weaving and ironwork. Guilds survived into the eighteenth century.

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Guilds gave way to trade unions, a very different type of organization. The artisans in the guilds were self-employed, unlike most members of trade unions.

Example Sentences

“Sentimental Value” didn’t do well with the guilds, but I think Oscar voters, a much more global group, will come through for it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

Its roots lie in the medieval stonemasons' guilds, and members still meet in "lodges" to carry out secretive initiation rituals and ceremonies based on allegories such as the building of King Solomon's Temple.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Then again, picking “1917” seemed like the safe bet, as it had won the top prizes from the producers and directors guilds ... just like “Anora” has done this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2025

But although initially in opposing teams, or guilds, their characters started a conversation.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

An army, temples, guilds, schools—they’d had to rebuild it all.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor