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

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

The result gives nuclear theorists a new experimental benchmark and provides a strategy for investigating the phenomenon in additional nuclei.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

The Fed held its benchmark rate steady Wednesday in a range between 3.5% and 3.75%, where it has been since December, at Chairman Kevin Warsh’s second meeting leading the central bank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

If you use that as the benchmark, states like California, Texas, and New York are really underrepresented there.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

The benchmark Kospi index closed almost 18% higher, driven by chip makers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 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

McFadden has been led to many musical benchmarks in his artistic evolution.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

The San Francisco-based startup, a chief rival to OpenAI, said the model tops industry benchmarks for coding and knowledge work while consuming fewer computing resources than earlier versions.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

The rates, which serve as benchmarks for most household and corporate loans, will likely remain unchanged despite weaker-than-expected economic performance in the second quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

On average, every age group fell short of Aspen’s threshold, despite the benchmarks being lower than the rules of thumb recommended by some other financial experts.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 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