the gold standard
noun
1
: a system in which a unit of money (such as the dollar) is equal to a particular amount of gold
The United States was still on the gold standard in the early 20th century.
2
: something that is considered to be the best and that is used to judge the quality or level of other, similar things
This car is the gold standard for luxury automobiles.
the gold standard of stylish resorts
Examples of the gold standard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Getty Images The Silver State sets the gold standard for renewable energy use, helping to make Nevada America’s most sustainable state in 2025.
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Scott Cohn, CNBC, 22 July 2025
In the early 1970s, President Nixon, who had taken the U.S. off the gold standard and imposed nationwide price and wage controls, wanted Fed chair Arthur Burns to pursue an easy-money policy to help Nixon win reelection.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Some loved her as Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie, some as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 — but for me, Prue Halliwell was the gold standard.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 13 July 2025
The Travelpro suitcases crew members are often found rolling through the airport go for at least $200, which is actually a bargain compared to the gold standard in crew bags, Briggs & Riley (rollaboards start at around $650).
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
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Scott Cohn, CNBC, 22 July 2025
In the early 1970s, President Nixon, who had taken the U.S. off the gold standard and imposed nationwide price and wage controls, wanted Fed chair Arthur Burns to pursue an easy-money policy to help Nixon win reelection.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Some loved her as Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie, some as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 — but for me, Prue Halliwell was the gold standard.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 13 July 2025
The Travelpro suitcases crew members are often found rolling through the airport go for at least $200, which is actually a bargain compared to the gold standard in crew bags, Briggs & Riley (rollaboards start at around $650).
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gold standard
Cite this Entry
“The gold standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20gold%20standard. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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