touchstone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Here, too, Beethoven serves as a musical, spiritual and political touchstone.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

Founded by storyteller Anant Pai after he noticed children on a quiz show knew more about Greek gods than their own mythological heroes, ACK quickly became a cultural touchstone.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

It’s a love story, above all — “Midnight Cowboy,” not an accidental choice, is more of a touchstone than any Marvel movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

It is also consistent with the Supreme Court’s admonition that the touchstone of the Fourth Amendment is whether the search or seizure is “reasonable,” not whether it is supported by a judicial warrant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 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