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

---

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

---

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

Etymology

Origin of benchmark

First recorded in 1835–45; bench + mark ¹

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

TAO is working to isolate that weak emission, while the Double Chooz findings now provide the first published benchmark for studying the residual signal from shut-down reactors and spent-fuel pools.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

These data, Prof Ramesh says, "provide an important benchmark" for future studies into the potential energy generation mechanisms in the Sun's atmosphere.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

AI cloud-computing provider CoreWeave raised a $2.6 billion loan facility this month, backed by its contracts with Anthropic, Jane Street and others, at yields 5.5 percentage points above benchmark interest rates, or over 9% currently.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

The benchmark, which has $40.4 billion in assets tracking it, plans to increase the number of constituents to 50, Hang Seng Indexes Company said in a market consultation document released on Monday.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 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

Like Grande to her adoring fans, Maddie is Deena’s idol, and Deena measures Maddie’s success by her work benchmarks and public visibility.

From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026

On the other hand, large value funds tied to other benchmarks, which had lower exposure to the hottest memory stocks, lagged behind iShares Russell 1000 Value.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Originally slated for a June release, the model reportedly fell short of internal benchmarks and has yet to be released.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

The aim is to figure out their potential to do good or bad, as well has how they perform in benchmarks measuring their skills.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

If the kid completes the plan and meets the benchmarks, no criminal charges are ever filed.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• criterion
• gauge
• standard
• yardstick