gold standard
The term "gold standard" originates from a monetary system where currency value was linked to gold but is also widely used metaphorically to signify the highest standard in various fields.
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Definition
C1Economics
(technical, historical)A monetary system where a country's currency value is directly linked to a specific amount of gold.
Example
- Under the gold standard, the value of the dollar was tied to a fixed quantity of gold.
- The gold standard was abandoned in the 20th century in favor of fiat currency.
B2General
(metaphorical)A benchmark or standard of excellence against which other similar things are measured.
Example
- Her research is considered the gold standard in the field of genetics.
- The Michelin Guide is often seen as the gold standard for restaurant ratings.
C1Medicine
(technical)A diagnostic test or procedure widely accepted as the most accurate for diagnosing a specific condition.
Example
- The biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing certain types of cancer.
- MRI is often the gold standard for imaging soft tissues.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "gold standard":
gold piecegold coingold buggold pointold golddigital goldgold plateblue goldgood as goldgolden number