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

That’s not wrong; Romero’s 1968 benchmark established the modern cinematic zombie as a stand-in for mindless capitalist consumption.

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026

“It’s in a league of its own, so it’s hard to benchmark it against anything else,” he added.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026

Kaneva’s model puts Brent’s fair value at $94 a barrel, much lower than what the benchmark is trading at now.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Policymakers began a historic tightening campaign, lifting its benchmark rate from negative territory in mid-2022 to a record four percent in late 2023.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 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

Despite its nickname, the tax also falls on more modest multifamily residences like apartment buildings that exceed the sales price benchmarks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

In particular, the benchmarks we look to need to account for inflation and reflect worker productivity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

"Where we localise the components in Europe, obviously developed by ourselves, we at least use the benchmarks from what we learned in China."

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

He also said lengthy construction schedules could hinder the company’s ability to hit some of its benchmarks, like deploying over 3 gigawatts of power by the end of 2027.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

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

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

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Related Words

• criterion
• gauge
• standard
• yardstick

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