meisters

Meisters is the plural form of the German word Meister, which translates as master or skilled practitioner. In everyday German, Meister can refer to someone who is highly skilled in a trade, while in formal contexts it denotes a recognized professional title earned through a specific training pathway.

In Germany and other German-speaking regions, the title of Meister is a credential in the craft trades. To become a Meister, a person typically completes an apprenticeship, earns work experience, and passes a Meisterprüfung (master craftsman examination). Successful candidates receive the Meisterbrief, which entitles them to run their own business, train and supervise apprentices, and employ journeymen. In many trades, the Meister is considered the legal and organizational leader of a workshop, setting standards and ensuring quality.

Historically, Meisters were senior members of crafts guilds who governed workshop practice, trained novices, and maintained quality and tradition within their trades. The guild system varied by region but often placed Meisters at the top of the hierarchy, with higher status than Journeymen or Lehrlinge.

In culture, the compound Meistersinger, meaning "master singer," referred to a medieval and early modern guild of lyric poets and singers in German-speaking towns. The term survives today chiefly in historical references and as a proper noun in some organizations or literature.

Outside Germany, variations exist in Austria and Switzerland, where similar master craftsman structures and titles apply, sometimes under different regulations or language usage.