blueprint

plural blueprints · alternative blue print · alternative blue-print

1. A type of paper-based reproduction process producing white-on-blue images by means of a photosensitive ferric compound, used primarily for technical and architecture's drawings, now largely replaced by other technologies.
2. A print produced with this process.
3. broadlyarchitectureA detailed technical drawing (now often in some electronically storable and transmissible form).

   Synonyms: cyanotype, schematic, schematic

4. broadlyinformalAny detailed plan, whether literal or figurative.

   Ain't got no blueprint, just a purpose and a wrecking ball!

   2018, Jhariah Clare, “City of Ashes”, in The Great Tale of How I Ruined it All

   2 more examples

   This demonstrated serious intent, and the result is a report that should be a blueprint for subsequent assessments when road schemes are being put forward.

   2020 December 2, Christian Wolmar, “Wales offers us a glimpse of an integrated transport strategy”, in Rail, page 56

   As a member of Black Sabbath, he helped draft the blueprints for heavy metal, but in conversation, he was always humble about his contributions to music.

   2025 July 22, Kory Grow, “Ozzy Osbourne obituary: The Godfather of Heavy Metal who changed the world”, in Rolling Stone

present singular third person blueprints · participle present blueprinting · participle past blueprinted · past blueprinted · alternative blue print · alternative blue-print

1. transitiveTo make a blueprint for.

   The architect blueprinted the renovation plan once the client had signed off.

2. figurativelytransitiveTo make a detailed operational plan for; to design or plan out.

   They blueprinted every aspect of the first phase of the operation.