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guidepost

American  
[gahyd-pohst] / ˈgaɪdˌpoʊst /

noun

  1. a post, usually mounted on the roadside or at the intersection of two or more roads, bearing a sign for the guidance of travelers.

  2. anything serving as a guide; guideline.

guidepost British  
/ ˈɡaɪdˌpəʊst /

noun

  1. a sign on a post by a road indicating directions

  2. a principle or guideline

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of guidepost

First recorded in 1755–65; guide + post 1

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.

One guidepost is the all-in cost of mining the stuff, but we are too far removed from that for it to be much help.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

But another Spencer guidepost was to encourage candidates to be themselves.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2025

Mr. Johnson, 51, has been a low-profile member during his six years in Congress, often known for quoting scripture and serving as a guidepost on constitutional issues.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2023

Still, Katie Rodihan of the Seattle-based affiliate said the nonprofit’s guidepost is Washington, not Idaho, law.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2023

The guidepost of a forefinger indicated the next paragraph.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.