benchmarking

American  

[bench-mahr-king] / ˈbɛntʃˌmɑr kɪŋ /

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of benchmarking

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

Example Sentences

The U.S. has unveiled a slate of efforts, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, which is meant to verify whether any quantum-computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation by 2033.

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative just advanced 11 companies to Stage B evaluation, the broadest and most technologically diverse cohort they’ve ever assessed.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 23, 2025

Petrobras’ planned investments in crude oil exploration and production for the period are more than 10 times higher than its low-carbon investments, according to the World Benchmarking Alliance, which tracks companies on sustainability goals.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

John Butler, from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, told MPs that the UK was still 10 to 15 years behind other leading nations on that measure.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2021

Benchmarking really can vary depending on your source footage and settings.

From The Verge • Jul. 25, 2018