1. a building in which a guild or corporation meets; the meeting place of a medieval merchant or craft guild
Usage: often capitalized when referring to a specific historic building; chiefly British
2. a town hall or civic building used for public meetings and local government functions
Usage: chiefly British; historical or regional

Examples

• The Guildhall in London is one of the oldest civic buildings in the city.
• Medieval merchants gathered at the guildhall to conduct business and settle disputes.
• The guildhall served as both a marketplace and a meeting place for the town's craftspeople.
• Many historic guildhalls in England have been preserved as museums and cultural centers.
• The guild elected its officers in the guildhall each year.