If you use one thing as a touchstone of another, you use it as a test or standard by which you judge the second thing.
Job security has become the touchstone of a good job for many employees. [+ of/for]
Synonyms: standard, measure, par, criterion More Synonyms of touchstone
touchstone in British English
(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
touchstone in American English
(ˈtʌtʃˌstoʊn)
noun
1.
a type of black stone formerly used to test the purity of gold or silver by the streak left on it when it was rubbed with the metal
2.
any test of genuineness or value
Examples of 'touchstone' in a sentence
touchstone
The popularity of his hymns made him a cultural touchstone.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
These streets of terraced houses have become a touchstone for local Brexiteers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The half-time show has become a cultural touchstone.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The tragedy became a touchstone issue in last year's presidential election.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Texas senator had hoped to hound the frontrunner on his erratic record on touchstone conservative issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For conservatives, there can be no compromise on an issue that has become the touchstone of orthodoxy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Some have fledgling campaigns in place while others are raising their profile by speaking out on touchstone Conservative issues.
The Sun (2013)
With prescription drug abuse now classed as an epidemic in America, it has become something of a cultural touchstone.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The actual numbers may not be that impressive, but we became part of the zeitgeist, like a cultural touchstone.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Word lists with
touchstone
Shakespeare
(noun)
Definition
a standard by which judgment is made
Job security has become the touchstone of a good job.
Synonyms
standard
systems that were by later standards absurdly primitive
measure
The local elections were seen as a measure of the government's success.
par
criterion
Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.
norm
Their actions departed from what she called the commonly accepted norms of behaviour.
gauge
The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
yardstick
an exceptional vintage by any yardstick
Additional synonyms
in the sense of criterion
Definition
a standard by which something can be judged or decided
Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.
Synonyms
standard,
test,
rule,
measure,
principle,
proof,
par,
norm,
canon,
gauge,
yardstick,
touchstone,
bench mark
in the sense of gauge
Definition
a standard for estimating people's feelings or reactions
The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
Synonyms
indicator,
test,
rule,
standard,
model,
measure,
guide,
basis,
pattern,
index,
sample,
par,
guideline,
criterion,
meter,
yardstick,
touchstone,
exemplar
in the sense of measure
The local elections were seen as a measure of the government's success.
Synonyms
standard,
example,
model,
test,
par,
criterion,
norm,
benchmark,
barometer,
yardstick,
touchstone,
litmus test
Nearby words of
touchstone
touched
touchiness
touching
touchstone
touchy
tough
toughen
Synonyms of 'touchstone'
touchstone
Explore 'touchstone' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of norm
Definition
a standard that is required or regarded as normal
Their actions departed from what she called the commonly accepted norms of behaviour.