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.
any standard or reference by which others can be measured or judged: The current price for crude oil may become the benchmark.
Computers. an established point of reference against which computers or programs can be measured in tests comparing their performance, reliability, etc.
Surveying.Usually bench mark . a marked point of known or assumed elevation from which other elevations may be established. Abbreviation: BM
adjective
of, relating to, or resulting in a benchmark: benchmark test, benchmark study.
verb (used with object)
to test (something) in order to develop a standard: IT benchmarked the new software.
to measure (something) against a standard: executive salaries benchmarked against the industry.
Hong Kong’s benchmark index even rose 3% as investors piled back in.
Cyberattacks disrupt trading on New Zealand stock exchange twice in 24 hours|eamonbarrett|August 26, 2020|Fortune
Its share performance has easily eclipsed the benchmark S&P 500, which has roughly tripled in value during the past nine years.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is fulfilling another Steve Jobs vision|Rachel Schallom|August 24, 2020|Fortune
In benchmark tests Primer has published, its system has outperformed similar software created by Google and Facebook.
Can A.I. understand poetry?|Jeremy Kahn|August 18, 2020|Fortune
The district also released a set of benchmarks that must be met before it will physically reopen.
Morning Report: How the City Came to Lease a Lemon|Voice of San Diego|August 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
We have a couple of ways to track overall brand performance, you can use these to help benchmark efforts over time.
Why SEOs should care about brand|Robin Lord|July 31, 2020|Search Engine Land
He was a benchmark, a mentor as an artist and as a man, and I just loved him with all my heart.
Andrew Garfield on the Evils of Capitalism, the Hacking Scandal, and Criticism of ‘Spider-Man 2’|Marlow Stern|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here's a key to understand the graph of accuracy: ● Lab: The polysomnograph, the benchmark for the other three.
How I Finally Got to the Bottom of My Insomnia|Gregory Ferenstein|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Using the three states with the lowest mortality rate as the benchmark, they determined where the system breakdown begins.
One of These 5 Things Will Probably Kill You|Abby Haglage, Brandy Zadrozny|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They represent a benchmark for what an average, well-educated student on track for college should know.
The Incredibly Stupid War on the Common Core|Charles Upton Sahm|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If insurers beat their benchmark by 3-8 percent, they have to split that extra revenue with the federal government.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows, April 13|PunditFact.com|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They set a standard which has remained the benchmark of Virginia political ethics.
The Road to Independence: Virginia 1763-1783|Virginia State Dept. of Education
British Dictionary definitions for benchmark
benchmark
/ (ˈbɛntʃˌmɑːk) /
noun
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 surveyingAbbreviation: BM
a criterion by which to measure something; standard; reference point
(as modifier)a benchmark test
verb
to measure or test against a benchmarkthe firm benchmarked its pay against that in industry