1. associations of craftsmen or merchants organized to help each other and to maintain standards in their profession
Usage: historical
2. organized groups of players in online games who work together toward common goals
Usage: gaming

Examples

• Medieval guilds controlled trade and craftsmanship in European cities.
• The blacksmith’s guild set strict standards for metalwork quality.
• Merchant guilds regulated commerce and protected their members’ interests.
• She joined a powerful guild in her favorite online role-playing game.
• The guild members coordinated their efforts to defeat the dragon.
• Many guilds required lengthy apprenticeships before granting full membership.
• His gaming guild meets every weekend for dungeon raids.