blueprint

American  

[bloo-print] / ˈbluˌprɪnt /

noun

blueprints plural

1. a process of photographic printing, used chiefly in copying architectural and mechanical drawings, which produces a white line on a blue background.

2. a print made by this process.

3. a detailed outline or plan of action.

   a blueprint for success.

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verb (used with object)

blueprints, present (3rd person singular) blueprinted, past participle, past blueprinting present participle

1. to make a blueprint of or for.

blueprint British  

/ ˈbluːˌprɪnt /

noun

1. Also called: cyanotype.  a photographic print of plans, technical drawings, etc, consisting of white lines on a blue background

2. an original plan or prototype that influences subsequent design or practice

   the Montessori method was the blueprint for education in the 1940s

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verb

1. (tr) to make a blueprint of (a plan)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blueprinter
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• blueprints
  plural

Participles

• blueprinting
  present
• blueprinted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• blueprint
  simple
• blueprints
  simple
• have blueprinted
  perfect
• has blueprinted
  perfect
• am blueprinting
  progressive
• are blueprinting
  progressive
• is blueprinting
  progressive
• have been blueprinting
  perfect progressive
• has been blueprinting
  perfect progressive

Past

• blueprinted
  simple
• had blueprinted
  perfect
• was blueprinting
  progressive
• were blueprinting
  progressive
• had been blueprinting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will blueprint
  simple
• will have blueprinted
  perfect
• will be blueprinting
  progressive
• will have been blueprinting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of blueprint

First recorded in 1885–90; blue + print

Explanation

A blueprint is a guide for making something — it's a design or pattern that can be followed. Want to build the best tree house ever? Draw up a blueprint and follow the design carefully. The literal meaning of a blueprint is a paper — which is blue — with plans for a building printed on it. You can also call other guides or plans blueprints. The way you do your homework every night could provide a blueprint for your little sister’s study habits. A business plan is a blueprint for a profitable business. Religions and philosophies provide the blueprint for many people’s lives. A blueprint helps you figure out what to do.

Example Sentences

And it is little surprise that at the heart of Burnham's vision for the nation is using his approach in Greater Manchester - "Manchesterism" - as a blueprint for the rest of the country.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

If Rob Pelinka could use the Dodgers’ blueprint to renovate, Lakers fans wouldn’t even be sweating this summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2026

There is strong global interest in whether Australia's laws could provide a blueprint for how to rein in increasingly powerful tech giants.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Even on our own planet, evolution has produced a wide variety of nervous systems rather than a single blueprint.

From Science Daily • Jun. 24, 2026

It is only a step from a drawing such as this to a modern blueprint.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• draft
• game plan
• master plan
• model
• prototype
• scheme
• sketch