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

Should it be rushed to get a quick result, or labored over to reach the full, gold standards of international legitimacy? —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025

Related Articles The ‘gold standard’ of drug treatment saves lives. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025

Accuracy and relevance in niche domains are the new gold standards in today’s market. —Olga Megorskaya, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

The Mediterranean diet is backed by extensive scientific research as a gold standard for heart health and longevity. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gold standard

• meandered
• nonstandard
• substandard
• slandered