benchmarking

[bench-mahr-king]

noun

1. the act or practice of measuring something against a standard, or of testing it in order to develop such a standard.

   The system measures nursing outcomes on a numerical scale, facilitating the benchmarking of nursing practices across facilities and jurisdictions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of benchmarking¹

First recorded in 1965–70; benchmark ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Efforts are underway in the U.S. to increase government investment in the technology, including the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, a project of the Department of Defense.

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Derivatives holdings are subject to a common risk-management calculation that compares their risk of loss to an underlying benchmark, said Rahul Sen Sharma, president and co-CEO of Indxx, which provides benchmarking services for ETFs that uses derivatives.

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It underpins sustainability benchmarking and evidence-based climate policy planning.

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“It’s more difficult to just hide these types of situations,” said Matteo Tonello, head of data benchmarking and analytics at the Conference Board.

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From 1995 to 1999, Denmark's five-year survival rate for rectal cancer was essentially tied with the UK's, on around 48%, according to the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, a research body.

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