bench·mark
ˈbench-ˌmärk 
1
a
: something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged
a stock whose performance is a benchmark against which other stocks can be measured
b
: a point of reference from which measurements may be made
c
: a standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison (as of computer system performance)
2
usually bench mark
: a mark on a permanent object (such as a concrete post set into the ground) indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations
benchmarked; benchmarking; benchmarks
business
: to study (something, such as a competitor's product or business practices) in order to improve the performance of one's own company
Examples of benchmark in a Sentence
Noun
a stock whose performance is a benchmark against which other stocks can be measured
this prize-winning biography will be the benchmark against which all others will be judged in future years
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The 1-year LPR influences corporate and most household loans in China, while the 5-year LPR serves as a benchmark for mortgage rates.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Unlike a traditional content audit, which focuses narrowly on the quality of content, the Thought Leadership Index benchmarks a company’s entire position in the market.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benchmark
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Noun
But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The 1-year LPR influences corporate and most household loans in China, while the 5-year LPR serves as a benchmark for mortgage rates.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
In a February blog post analyzing the report, Kenneth Kaufman—managing director and founder of Kaufman Hall—noted that poor performing hospitals tend to focus management efforts on their largest clinical and nursing areas, which are easiest to benchmark.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Unlike a traditional content audit, which focuses narrowly on the quality of content, the Thought Leadership Index benchmarks a company’s entire position in the market.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benchmark
Cite this Entry
“Benchmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benchmark. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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