gold standard

noun

Definition of gold standardnext
as in standard
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared the gold standard for accurate experimental procedures is the double-blind medication trial

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gold standard Head Start, established in the 1960s to help fight poverty, has long been considered by experts to be a gold standard early learning program. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 World Weather Attribution — an international collaboration of scientists who examine extreme events to determine climate change’s role, if any — did that study so quickly, the report didn’t get peer reviewed, which is the scientific gold standard. — Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 31 July 2026 The Women’s Health Initiative and the HABITS trial were both larger randomized trials, which are gold standards in research. — Versha Pleasant, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 While charcoal grills are the affordable gold standard for many home cooks, gas grills can do nearly everything a charcoal grill can (just with slightly less smoky flavor). — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gold standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gold standard
  1. standard
  2. criterion
  3. benchmark
Noun
  • Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • If students are not meeting basic academic standards, though, state governments sometimes step in and take over the day-to-day operations of entire school districts.
    — Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of standard
Noun
  • How that list would be compiled, and by whom, and under what criteria, was left unclear.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Its Cloud Sovereignty Framework assesses providers against 48 criteria covering legal control, data, operations and supply chains.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • Yet from the golden age of the Bentley Boys to the marque’s current renaissance, the Supersports’ one constant is its role as the Flying B’s internal-combustion benchmark.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Gordon Murray Automotive is an important benchmark in that respect.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of benchmark

Browse Nearby Words

gold-plated
gold standard
gold standards
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Cite this Entry

“Gold standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gold%20standard. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gold standard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gold standard

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