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 of blueprint

• plan
• strategy
• program
• scheme
• project

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

But the first 30 minutes of this movie is a blueprint for how to consider the entire film. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025

The researchers highlighted that the success of this blood cell gene therapy approach offers an exciting blueprint for treating many other genetic conditions. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025

That is a significant oversight for those leaders, given that the plan included numerous commitments from them, including billions of dollars for Ukraine's reconstruction, as well as participation in an emergency blueprint if the proposal is violated. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Nov. 2025

European officials are meeting with their Ukrainian and US counterparts in Geneve Sunday for more detailed talks on the blueprint. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blueprint

• footprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint

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