gold standard

noun

1

: a monetary standard under which the basic unit of currency is defined by a stated quantity of gold and which is usually characterized by the coinage and circulation of gold, unrestricted convertibility of other money into gold, and the free export and import of gold for settling of international obligations

2

: benchmark sense 1a

Synonyms

• bar
• barometer
• benchmark
• criterion
• grade
• mark
• measure
• metric
• par
• standard
• touchstone
• yardstick

Examples of gold standard in a Sentence

the gold standard for accurate experimental procedures is the double-blind medication trial

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Cayman Islands and Switzerland have long been bywords for stashing money away from the U.S. government, the Cook Islands Trust is the true gold standard in wealth protection, experts say. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024

Boston Dynamics is the absolute gold standard in robotics research, and has been for decades. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024

Hair Day Dry Shampoo $30 Amazon $30 Ulta A gold standard in the dry shampoo category, this is a favorite among consumers, hairstylists, and celebs alike—Justin and Glamour editors included. —Emily Rekstis, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2024

Few if any communities across the country can claim adherence to the biophilic gold standard of Serenbe, the groundbreaking community near Atlanta that strives to bring residents and visitors closer to nature and each other. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1