artisan

noun

ar·ti·san | \ ˈär-tə-zən

, -sən, chiefly British ˌä-tə-ˈzan\

Definition of artisan

1 : a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson a skilled artisan

2 : a person or company that produces something (such as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods —often used before another noun artisan breads

Other Words from artisan Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about artisan

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Did You Know?

Artisans aren't the same as artists, but it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. In the Middle Ages, artisans organized themselves into guilds. In every city each group of artisans—weavers, carpenters, shoemakers, and so on—had its own guild, which set wages and prices, kept standards high, and protected its members from outside competitors. In America, however, most artisans have always been fiercely independent. Today, when factories produce almost all of our goods, artisans usually make only fine objects for those who can afford them. And we now even include food among the artisan's crafts, so you can buy artisanal cheeses, breads, and chocolates—but probably not if you're watching your budget.

Examples of artisan in a Sentence

They sell rugs made by local artisans. we visited a re-created 19th-century New England village that features an array of artisans—a cooper, a carpenter, a blacksmith, a potter, a glassblower

Recent Examples on the Web

Update: This article has been updated to reflect that Louis Vuitton is in a collaborative relationship with artisans of Tenango de Doria in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. — Sangeeta Singh-kurtz, Quartzy, "Governments are taking cultural appropriation to court," 28 Aug. 2019 Elements like a candlestick crafted from a deer antler and a chair by a local artisan further celebrate Western riches. — Jessica Dailey, ELLE Decor, "The Ultimate Guide to Infusing a Western-Chic Vibe Into Your Home," 1 Aug. 2019 Local artisans interested in partnering with the festival should contact Madeline Hoss at [email protected]. — Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fiserv Forum plaza will host Chords & Curds Festival featuring local musicians and food," 16 July 2019 Rain or shine, the show goes on with around 120 juried artisans from across the country. — Sam Boyer, cleveland.com, "New resident makes quite an impression: Whit & Whimsey," 12 July 2019 The life-size statue, which sits on the outskirts of the first lady's hometown of Sevnica, was dreamed up by US artist Brad Downey, who hired local chainsaw artisan Ales Zupevc to create it, according to the Agence France-Presse and CNN. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Wooden Melania Trump statue unveiled near her Slovenian hometown gets mixed reviews," 6 July 2019 The Wine Shelves Lindsay hired local artisan Michael Mellon to create custom elm shelving that can fit magnums alongside regular bottles, like the cult favorite Vini Viti Vinci’s 2016 Vieilles Vignes. — Cassandra Landry, Bon Appétit, "The Little Things: A Design Tour of San Francisco’s Rustic-Modern Wine Bar, Verjus," 10 June 2019 And everywhere, there are ceramics, either in the form of light fixtures made by local artisan Heather Levine or as pottery picked up at thrift stores. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, House Beautiful, "How Celeb-Favorite Designer Jeff Andrews Created His Own Glamorous L.A. Haven," 14 Feb. 2019 The renowned event, now in its 36th year, features global cuisine; kids’ activities including a climbing wall, laser tag, and obstacle courses; and an Arts and Crafts Marketplace with more than 175 local artisans. — Kari Bodnarchuk, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 30 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'artisan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for artisan

artisan

noun

English Language Learners Definition of artisan

: a person who is skilled at making things by hand

See the full definition for artisan in the English Language Learners Dictionary

artisan

noun

ar·ti·san | \ ˈär-tə-zən

Kids Definition of artisan

: a person who makes things by using skill with the hands

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artisan

Definition of artisan

Other Words from artisan

Synonyms for artisan

Did You Know?

Examples of artisan in a Sentence

First Known Use of artisan

History and Etymology for artisan

English Language Learners Definition of artisan

Kids Definition of artisan

artisan

Definition of artisan

Other Words from artisan

Synonyms for artisan

Did You Know?

Examples of artisan in a Sentence

First Known Use of artisan

History and Etymology for artisan

English Language Learners Definition of artisan

Kids Definition of artisan

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