benchmark

1 of 2

noun

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

benchmark

2 of 2

verb

benchmarked; benchmarking; benchmarks

transitive verb

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 of benchmark

Noun

• standard
• criterion

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

Noun

Markets such as silver and platinum are a fraction of the size of gold or major equity benchmarks like the S & P 500, meaning the recent influx of speculative capital is having an outsized impact on prices. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026

Consider the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio, which has outperformed its all-cap stock benchmark (a mix of the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 benchmark indices), delivering strong returns for investors. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Verb

Importantly, customers will not benchmark solopreneurs against other solo businesses. —Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

OuSoCo is a startup developing advanced material-response models the scientists used to benchmark large-scale nuclear deflection simulations. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for benchmark

• ballpark
• birthmark
• daymark
• earmark
• embark
• hallmark
• landmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark
• tetrarch

Kids Definition

benchmark

noun

1

usually bench mark : a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving as a reference in geological surveys

2

: something (as a test) that can be used as a standard to check other things (as computer programs) against