gold standard

noun

1. a monetary system with gold of specified weight and fineness as the unit of value.

gold standard

noun

1. a monetary system in which the unit of currency is defined with reference to gold

2. the supreme example of something against which others are judged or measured

   the current gold standard for breast cancer detection

gold standard

1. A system in which a nation's currency has a value measured in gold and can be exchanged for gold. Most nations, including the United States, went off the gold standard in the 1930s.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gold standard¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

There is one person who turned her into the gold standard of pop — music executive Scott Borchetta, who signed her to his Big Machine Records label back in the day.

From Los Angeles Times

Proposition 50 would mark a sudden departure from California’s 15-year commitment to independent redistricting, often held up as the country’s gold standard.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, he said the government would pursue a new target for young people going on to university, further education, or a "gold standard apprenticeship" by the age of 25.

From BBC

To loud applause from the hall, he promised that he would replace it with "a new ambition, that two-thirds of our children should go either to university or take on a gold standard apprenticeship."

From BBC

Sir Keir said the target would be changed to two-thirds of young people going to university or "gold standard apprenticeships".

From BBC