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

While swabbing is considered the gold standard in forensic science, brushing could be a quick, nondestructive method the authors could consider in the future, said Kelly Meiklejohn, associate professor in forensic science at Western Sydney University in Australia. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026

Johnson, who won championships with the Dallas Cowboys and led the Dolphins in their more recent era of relevance, isn’t even the gold standard of a college coach transitioning to the pros. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026

Crosby’s 25-game point streak has long felt like the gold standard of consistent excellence in the salary cap era, but McDavid’s latest feat has arguably snatched that away. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

At the same time, hyaluronic acid—the gold standard for hydration—locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, and reduces texture, creating a soft, plump finish. —Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for the gold standard

• meandered
• nonstandard
• substandard
• slandered