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

Noun

• bar
• barometer
• criterion
• gold standard
• grade
• mark
• measure
• metric
• par
• standard
• touchstone
• yardstick

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

California unemployment dipped between 1995 and 1999 to 5% from 7.9% while mortgage rates rose to 7.9% from 7.4%. 15,000 in May 2013: The Dow needed more than 13 years to gain 50% to hit this benchmark vs. an 85% surge for homes statewide to $417,000 in the same period. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024

In this private market benchmark, without access to insure deposit funding, these institutions have much less leverage and much more equity funding. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

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