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

As these Seedance videos amassed millions of views on social media, industry guilds like SAG-AFTRA and the Motion Picture Assn. have criticized the AI platform that was launched last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Its roots lie in the medieval stonemasons' guilds, and members still meet in "lodges" to carry out secretive initiation rituals and ceremonies.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

“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

Still, it’s worth pointing out that “Anora” won the top prizes this year from the producers, directors and writers guilds.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2025

“Let it be written that henceforth only guild members shall be permitted to name themselves journeymen or masters ... provided the guilds open their rolls to any freedman who can demonstrate the requisite skills.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin