blueprint

American  

[bloo-print] / ˈbluˌprɪnt /

noun

1. a process of photographic printing, 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)

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

• blueprinter noun

Etymology

Origin of blueprint

First recorded in 1885–90; blue + print

Example Sentences

I look back and forth between the blueprint and Theo’s face.

From Literature

The Reflection deal is a blueprint for what the Commerce Department hopes to support through an AI export program that is in the works.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seven tries in the back-to-back Six Nations champions' own backyard is the blueprint to how this side should play.

From BBC

How the Lakers started their win over the Chicago Bulls felt like the blueprint for success.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is our view of a blueprint for the future of computing and it’s one that really starts to bring quantum into the data center as a first-class citizen.”

From Barron's

Related Words

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