the gold standard

: a yellow malleable ductile metallic element that occurs chiefly free or in a few minerals and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and dentures — see Chemical Elements Table

: gold coins

: a gold piece

: qualifying for a gold record

: a conspicuous object (such as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem

: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices

: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family

: constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom

: sound and usable but not of top quality

: regularly and widely used, available, or supplied