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
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
The company plans to continue releasing updates as testing progresses, pushing its axial flux architecture toward the next benchmark in electric propulsion.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The chip even benchmarks a whole lot like a non-Pro A19.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benchmark
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Noun
Inflation data from July, August and September specifically are used as benchmarks to help set the COLA for the coming year.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
The company plans to continue releasing updates as testing progresses, pushing its axial flux architecture toward the next benchmark in electric propulsion.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The project benchmarks future UK infrastructure, showing that large-scale projects can combine growth with sustainability.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The chip even benchmarks a whole lot like a non-Pro A19.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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