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
The new headquarters, according to Dimon, sets the gold standard.
—
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest game of the season for Sacramento State is this week, a Friday showcase on ESPN2 as the upstart Hornets prepare for the gold standard of the Big Sky Conference.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Otherwise, the above lifestyle shifts are the gold standard.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 17 Oct. 2025
Clinical trials are the gold standard for understanding whether medical treatments work.
—Harsh Gupta, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
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Nino Paoli, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest game of the season for Sacramento State is this week, a Friday showcase on ESPN2 as the upstart Hornets prepare for the gold standard of the Big Sky Conference.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Otherwise, the above lifestyle shifts are the gold standard.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 17 Oct. 2025
Clinical trials are the gold standard for understanding whether medical treatments work.
—Harsh Gupta, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
Cite this Entry
“The gold standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20gold%20standard. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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