benchmark

American  

[bench-mahrk] / ˈbɛntʃˌmɑrk /

Or bench mark

noun

• benchmarks
  plural

1. a standard of excellence, achievement, etc., against which similar things must be measured or judged.

   The new hotel is a benchmark in opulence and comfort.

2. any standard or reference by which others can be measured or judged.

   The current price for crude oil may become the benchmark.

3. Computers. an established point of reference against which computers or programs can be measured in tests comparing their performance, reliability, etc.

4. Surveying. Usually bench mark a marked point of known or assumed elevation from which other elevations may be established. BM

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or resulting in a benchmark.

   benchmark test, benchmark study.

verb (used with object)

1. to test (something) in order to develop a standard.

   IT benchmarked the new software.

2. to measure (something) against a standard.

   executive salaries benchmarked against the industry.

benchmark British  

/ ˈbɛntʃˌmɑːk /

noun

1. BM. a mark on a stone post or other permanent feature, at a point whose exact elevation and position is known: used as a reference point in surveying

2. 1. a criterion by which to measure something; standard; reference point

   2. ( as modifier )

      a benchmark test

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verb

1. to measure or test against a benchmark

   the firm benchmarked its pay against that in industry

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• benchmarks
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of benchmark

First recorded in 1835–45; bench + mark ¹

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Explanation

A benchmark is a standard that other similar items can be compared to — that way everything is measured against a common standard. Benchmark originally referred to a mark made on a wall or building by a surveyor for use as a reference point. The word still retains that meaning, but nowadays you’re more likely to hear it used in a figurative sense to describe a standard used to measure the worth of something. A particular item is selected as a benchmark, and other similar items are compared to the benchmark. A popular sitcom may be the benchmark other shows are judged against.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

benchmark benchmarks

The Eddington limit is a theoretical benchmark describing the point at which the outward pressure produced by radiation balances the inward pull of gravity.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Shares in Netwealth dropped 8% after its quarterly update, a move that one of the investment bank’s analysts reckons left its premium relative to the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark index 40% below its five-year average.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The government said that Fairfax’s offer of 81 rupees a share for the stake above the benchmark price, as well as fair-value estimates, was judged to be reasonable and approved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

She warned that higher benchmark yields in advanced economies could also spill over to emerging markets by tightening global financial conditions.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

Epic in scope, violence, and imagination, Deathstorm is a new benchmark in the fantasy genre and cements forever G. M. Pennington’s status as the American Tolkien.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Wholesale diesel benchmarks in the U.S. and Europe have more than doubled year to date.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

On Wednesday, Jay Merchant, Jonathan Mathew, Alex Pabon, Colin Bermingham and Philippe Mouryoussef saw their convictions for 'manipulating' the interest rate benchmarks Libor and Euribor quashed after a 10-year struggle for justice.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Futures point to a second straight day of declines for U.S. benchmarks today after they hit records.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Mistral said Chonk's scores on performance benchmarks so far make it one of the best open-weight models available, and "by far the best in Europe and the US".

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

But O’Malley was confident that Richard would be able to meet the benchmarks she’d set.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

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Related Words

• criterion
• gauge
• standard
• yardstick

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