the gold standard
noun
1
: a system in which a unit of money (such as the dollar) is equal to a particular amount of gold
The United States was still on the gold standard in the early 20th century.
2
: something that is considered to be the best and that is used to judge the quality or level of other, similar things
This car is the gold standard for luxury automobiles.
the gold standard of stylish resorts
Examples of the gold standard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For many, Lululemon is the gold standard for workout leggings, but spending $98 on a single pair isn’t an easy pill to swallow.
—
Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
That said, epidurals today are the gold standard for pain management in the delivery room — in the U.S. alone, as many as 75 percent of women in labor opt for the procedure, which is considered safer for expectant moms and their babies than oral or IV painkillers.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
For Lockport’s girls wrestling program, Heeney is the gold standard with a 105-4 career record.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
This is the gold standard of how noise complaints should be dealt with and resolved.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
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Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
That said, epidurals today are the gold standard for pain management in the delivery room — in the U.S. alone, as many as 75 percent of women in labor opt for the procedure, which is considered safer for expectant moms and their babies than oral or IV painkillers.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
For Lockport’s girls wrestling program, Heeney is the gold standard with a 105-4 career record.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
This is the gold standard of how noise complaints should be dealt with and resolved.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
Cite this Entry
“The gold standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20gold%20standard. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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