touchstone

American  

[tuhch-stohn] / ˈtʌtʃˌstoʊn /

noun

• touchstones
  plural

1. a test or criterion for the qualities of a thing.

   Synonyms:

   pattern, model, measure, standard

2. a black siliceous stone formerly used to test the purity of gold and silver by the color of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal.

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touchstone British  

/ ˈtʌtʃˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a criterion or standard by which judgment is made

2. a hard dark siliceous stone, such as basalt or jasper, that is used to test the quality of gold and silver from the colour of the streak they produce on it

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• touchstones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of touchstone

First recorded in 1475–85; touch + stone

Explanation

Use the noun touchstone to describe a basis for comparison. For example, a filmmaker's touchstone might be her all-time favorite movie; she wants her movie to be that good or similar to it in some way. Touchstone as it is defined today comes from an actual stone. In the late 15th century, gold and silver was rubbed, or touched against black quartz — the touchstone — to determine the purity of the metals. This was done by looking at the color of the streaks left on the stone. This is why a touchstone, in the figurative sense as it is used today, is a measuring tool.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

touchstone touchstones

"The Moon is a kind of touchstone for us - and an important conceptual stepping stone on our way to Mercury."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

The exhibit showcases other Mexican masters, including Kahlo’s husband, Diego Rivera, but the big draw has been Kahlo, whose oeuvre has become a touchstone of feminist and Latin American iconography.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Once a cultural touchstone, late-night television has seen its prominence erode greatly over the years with viewers and advertising dollars shifting away from broadcast TV to streaming.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Unsurprisingly John Chamberlain’s metal sculptures that captured the energy of Abstract Expressionism in three dimensions are a touchstone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

The next day Vincent writes again, hammering home the strong bond between the brothers, with a memory, the memory that is the most important touchstone in their lives so far.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

CNN inexplicably settles for photos over video way too often and races through so many touchstones that the series often lacks sports context.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

But the air, space and instrumental cohesion of touchstones like, say, Bonnie Raitt are nowhere to be found.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Having these cultural and historical touchstones become anthropomorphized not only takes viewers to places they might not get a chance to visit in person but also to make history more approachable.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

And of course, Bad Bunny is hugely popular across the United States, which has among the largest Spanish-speaking populations globally -- so why wouldn't he take part in one of the country's cultural touchstones?

From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026

They were the codes and touchstones of the world, capable of translation and possession.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• barometer
• criterion