Guild vs. Alliance — What's the Difference?

A guild is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area. The earliest types of guild formed as organizations of tradesmen, belonging to: a professional association, a trade union, a cartel, and/or a secret society.

An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called allies.

A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power.

A close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes

An association of persons of the same trade or pursuits, formed to protect mutual interests and maintain standards.

A formal agreement establishing such an association, especially an international treaty of friendship.

A similar association, as of merchants or artisans, in medieval times.

A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tie

(Ecology) A group of species in a community that use similar environmental resources in a similar way, such as a group of songbirds that all glean insects from leaves.

A long-term association of two or more animals of the same species, in which members cooperate for a purpose such as gaining access to mates or defending territory.

A group or association mainly of tradespeople made up of merchants, craftspeople, or artisans for mutual aid, particularly in the Middle Ages.

Close similarity in nature or type; affinity

A corporation.

The act of becoming allied or the condition of being allied

(ecology) A group of diverse species that share common characteristics or habits.

(uncountable) The state of being allied.

(video games) An organized group of players who regularly play together in a multiplayer game.

(countable) The act of allying or uniting.

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.

(countable) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.

A guildhall.

(countable) Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

A religious association or society, organized for charitable purposes or for assistance in parish work.

(with the definite article) The persons or parties allied.

A formal association of people with similar interests;

(India) Marriage.

(obsolete) To connect or unite by alliance; to ally.

The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

The persons or parties allied.

To connect by alliance; to ally.

The state of being allied or confederated

A connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest;

An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty

A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim

The act of forming an alliance or confederation