bench·mark
ˈbench-ˌmärk 
1
a
: something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged
a stock whose performance is a benchmark against which other stocks can be measured
b
: a point of reference from which measurements may be made
c
: a standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison (as of computer system performance)
2
usually bench mark
: a mark on a permanent object (such as a concrete post set into the ground) indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations
benchmarked; benchmarking; benchmarks
business
: to study (something, such as a competitor's product or business practices) in order to improve the performance of one's own company
Synonyms
Examples of benchmark in a Sentence
Noun
a stock whose performance is a benchmark against which other stocks can be measured
this prize-winning biography will be the benchmark against which all others will be judged in future years
Recent Examples on the Web
Zimo Zhong, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
Yet, instead of feeling like the benchmark, many feel like they are being left out–or even a target.
—Barron Witherspoon, Sr., Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
However, another chart in the report shows that consistency is lacking: Developers are testing their models against different benchmarks, making comparisons harder.
14.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Apr. 2024
In 2024, the spotlight shines on a select group of leaders who are transforming their industries and setting new benchmarks for innovation and impact.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, settled at $89.74 a barrel.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Longer term, federal and state governments should also create guidance and benchmarks that help election officials evaluate AI systems before purchasing them, checking for reliability, accuracy, biases, and transparency.
—Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Gas prices are also rising because of mounting geopolitical tensions in Russia and the Middle East, with Brent crude earlier this month surging beyond $90 a barrel and the U.S. benchmark topping $86.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Qualcomm has shown benchmarks that beat Apple’s M2 processor in many areas and Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 chips.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Each year, hundreds of delegates from universities travel to ASU to benchmark their various programs and models.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
To accurately gauge your ROI, define your key performance indicators (KPIs), benchmark your current operations against these KPIs, calculate the total costs of implementation and then assess the operational savings and revenue enhancements post-integration.
—Nishith Rastogi, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
In fact, Apple uses a group of its competitors, including Meta, Netflix, Visa, and Cisco, to benchmark its executives’ compensation.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024
This can help benchmark your results and use this data to inform future strategies with more confidence.
—Alison Bringé, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The first step here is to benchmark what cheap means.
—David Trainer, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
Once a year, the BLS also benchmarks the March payrolls level to a more accurate but less timely data source called the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
—Reade Pickert, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2023
Job seekers want record-high wages — and men expect $25,000 more than women do
Every year, the BLS conducts a revision to the data from its monthly survey of businesses’ payrolls, then benchmarks the March employment level to those measured by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 23 Aug. 2023
Noun
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged 0.1% higher to 37,471.73, despite the country's manufacturing activity contracting for 11 straight months while approaching the break-even point in April as PMI came in at 49.9, according to Tuesday figures from au Jibun bank.
—Zimo Zhong, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
Yet, instead of feeling like the benchmark, many feel like they are being left out–or even a target.
—Barron Witherspoon, Sr., Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
However, another chart in the report shows that consistency is lacking: Developers are testing their models against different benchmarks, making comparisons harder.
14.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Apr. 2024
In 2024, the spotlight shines on a select group of leaders who are transforming their industries and setting new benchmarks for innovation and impact.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, settled at $89.74 a barrel.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Longer term, federal and state governments should also create guidance and benchmarks that help election officials evaluate AI systems before purchasing them, checking for reliability, accuracy, biases, and transparency.
—Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Gas prices are also rising because of mounting geopolitical tensions in Russia and the Middle East, with Brent crude earlier this month surging beyond $90 a barrel and the U.S. benchmark topping $86.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Qualcomm has shown benchmarks that beat Apple’s M2 processor in many areas and Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 chips.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
One idea is to segment it into levels in the same way that carmakers try to benchmark the path between cruise control and fully self-driving vehicles.
—Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Each year, hundreds of delegates from universities travel to ASU to benchmark their various programs and models.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
To accurately gauge your ROI, define your key performance indicators (KPIs), benchmark your current operations against these KPIs, calculate the total costs of implementation and then assess the operational savings and revenue enhancements post-integration.
—Nishith Rastogi, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
In fact, Apple uses a group of its competitors, including Meta, Netflix, Visa, and Cisco, to benchmark its executives’ compensation.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024
This can help benchmark your results and use this data to inform future strategies with more confidence.
—Alison Bringé, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The first step here is to benchmark what cheap means.
—David Trainer, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
Once a year, the BLS also benchmarks the March payrolls level to a more accurate but less timely data source called the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
—Reade Pickert, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2023
Job seekers want record-high wages — and men expect $25,000 more than women do
Every year, the BLS conducts a revision to the data from its monthly survey of businesses’ payrolls, then benchmarks the March employment level to those measured by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 23 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'benchmark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Benchmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benchmark. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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