noun
Uncommon
benchmark
BEHNSH-mahk
Benchmark (noun) means a standard used to judge or measure something. Example: “The new hire quickly became the benchmark for customer service.”
noun
1
A standard used to judge or measure something.
"The new hire quickly became the benchmark for customer service."
"The school's exam results are used as a benchmark for all the others nearby."
"Last year's sales figures are our benchmark for judging this year's progress."
2
A test used to measure the performance of computer hardware or software.
"The laptop scored well on every benchmark we ran."
"Reviewers run a graphics benchmark to compare how fast different phones can draw images."
"The software's benchmark results showed it was twice as quick on the newer processor."
verb
1
To measure something’s performance against a standard or competitor.
"We benchmarked our app against three rival products."
"The company benchmarks its delivery times against those of the best firms in the industry."
"Before buying, we benchmarked several laptops to see which handled video editing best."
How to use benchmark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fixed point of comparison, or the act of measuring something against one.
Common pairings
industry benchmark
benchmark test
benchmark against competitors
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Word forms
- Plural
- benchmarks
- Third person singular
- benchmarks
- Past tense
- benchmarked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new hire quickly became the _____ for customer service.
Etymology
Originally a surveyor’s mark cut into stone to hold measuring equipment steady; the figurative "standard of comparison" sense developed later, around the 1880s.
Class of 1880
benchmark joined the language around 1880.
See the full Class of 1880 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “benchmark” mean?
The word “benchmark” means a standard used to judge or measure something. In plain terms, a fixed point of comparison, or the act of measuring something against one.
How do you pronounce “benchmark”?
“Benchmark” is pronounced BEHNSH-mahk (/ˈbɛn(t)ʃmɑːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “benchmark” in a sentence?
Here is “benchmark” used in a sentence: “The new hire quickly became the benchmark for customer service.”
What is another word for “benchmark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “benchmark” include kitemark and yardstick.
What part of speech is “benchmark”?
Depending on how it is used, “benchmark” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “benchmark” come from?
The word “benchmark” dates back to around 1880. Originally a surveyor’s mark cut into stone to hold measuring equipment steady; the figurative "standard of comparison" sense developed later, around the 1880s.
Is “benchmark” a common word?
“Benchmark” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “benchmark” have?
“Benchmark” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a standard used to judge or measure something.
What is the difference between a benchmark and a standard?
A benchmark is a specific point of reference used to judge or measure something, often derived from an actual example of best performance, while a standard is typically a broader, often official set of requirements something must meet. In practice the terms overlap heavily, but 'benchmark' more often implies a comparison against a leading example.
What does benchmark mean in computing?
In computing, a benchmark is a test used to measure the performance of hardware or software, such as processing speed or efficiency, so that different systems or programs can be compared on equal terms. Benchmark results let users and reviewers judge whether one product performs better than another.
How is benchmark used as a verb?
As a verb, to benchmark means to measure something's performance against a standard or a competitor, as in 'the company benchmarked its delivery times against industry leaders.' This usage turns the noun into an action of formal comparison.
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