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

Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Japan abandoned its yield curve control program in March 2024, under which benchmark 10-year bond yields were capped at around 1%, as part of its policy normalization that also saw the country end the world's last negative interest rate regime. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Consistency Is No Longer Optional Home growers are creating their own internal benchmarks. —Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2025

Verb

By publishing Medicare prices, CMS can immediately empower states and employer health plans to benchmark provider and pharmaceutical prices (and monitor adherence) without hiring expensive middlemen. —Marilyn Bartlett, Boston Herald, 21 Nov. 2025

The project benchmarks future UK infrastructure, showing that large-scale projects can combine growth with sustainability. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025

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