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 of gold standard

• standard
• criterion
• benchmark

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

Specifically, on average, silky sharks spent only about 47 percent of their time inside the Galápagos Marine Reserve, an area often held up as a global gold standard for marine protection. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

In every action, EPA applies the highest gold standard of science and analysis. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026

While Rag & Bone remains my gold standard, there are plenty of more affordable options worth shopping, including polished Gap sweatpant jeans that deliver the same comfort-first appeal, plus Amazon finds starting at just $37. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026

Disability Rights California, a nonprofit that has been among the strongest critics, declined to comment on Ed’s situation directly, but did emphasize that voluntary treatment is its gold standard. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gold standard

• meandered
• nonstandard
• substandard
• slandered