blueprint

noun

blue·​print ˈblü-ˌprint 

plural blueprints

1

: a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground or blue on a white ground used especially for copying maps, mechanical drawings, and architects' plans

2

: something or someone resembling a blueprint (as in serving as a model or providing guidance)

… few foundations have taken a similar [investing] route, so there was no blueprint to follow.

—Paul Sullivan

He was an anomaly to the rap world when he arrived, but today he is the blueprint for a generation.

—Jeff Ihaza

especially : a detailed plan or program of action

a blueprint for success

blueprint transitive verb

blueprinted; blueprinting; blueprints

It was not something blueprinted from the start or based on a French bistro archetype; it's a restaurant that has grown and evolved …

—Ian McNulty

Synonyms

• arrangement
• design
• game
• game plan
• ground plan
• master plan
• plan
• program
• project
• road map
• scheme
• strategy
• system

Examples of blueprint in a Sentence

a blueprint for reforming the public school system

an ambitious young man with a remarkably detailed blueprint for becoming a millionaire by the age of 25

Recent Examples on the Web

In last week’s victory, the Packers revealed the blueprint to contain the Dolphins’ high-powered offense. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024

The judge's remedy is novel, and could become a blueprint for other courts. —Dan Primack, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

After winning the election, several of Trump's nominees are tied to the blueprint as contributors, including border czar Tom Homan, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) head Brendan Carr, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024

For a lot of people, Critical Role is the blueprint. —Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

blueprint

1 of 2 noun

blue·​print

ˈblü-ˌprint

1

: a photographic print made with white lines on a blue background and used especially for copying mechanical drawings, maps, and architects' plans

2

: a detailed plan or program of action

blueprint

2 of 2 verb

: to make a blueprint of or for