guild Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a formal association of people with similar interests
    club; society; social club; gild; lodge; order.
    • he joined a golf club
    • they formed a small lunch society
    • men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today

WordNet

Guild noun
Etymology
OE. gilds, AS. gild, gield, geld, tribute, a society or company where payment was made for its charge and support, fr. AS. gildan, gieldan, to pay. See Yield, v. t.
Definitions
  1. An association of men belonging to the same class, or engaged in kindred pursuits, formed for mutual aid and protection; a business fraternity or corporation; as, the Stationers' Guild; the Ironmongers' Guild. They were originally licensed by the government, and endowed with special privileges and authority.
  2. A guildhall. Obs. Spenser.
  3. A religious association or society, organized for charitable purposes or for assistance in parish work.

Webster 1913