A group or association mainly of tradespeople made up of merchants, craftspeople, or artisans for mutual aid, particularly in the Middle Ages.
"In medieval England, every guild regulated the quality of goods produced by its members and provided financial support to widows and apprentices."
In plain English: A guild is an old group of people who share the same job and help each other out.
"The local guild organized an annual festival to celebrate their craft skills."
Usage: A guild is an organization formed by skilled workers and merchants to regulate their trade and provide support, a role historically central during the Middle Ages but now largely obsolete. Use this term specifically when referring to these traditional professional associations rather than modern hobby groups or online communities.
A surname.
"The old family tree listed Guild as the ancestral name of several prominent local merchants."
The word "guild" comes from the Old Norse gildi, which originally meant a payment or fee. It entered Middle English with this sense of financial contribution before evolving to refer to an association of people bound by such obligations.