benchmark
Americannoun
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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.
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any standard or reference by which others can be measured or judged.
The current price for crude oil may become the benchmark.
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Computers. an established point of reference against which computers or programs can be measured in tests comparing their performance, reliability, etc.
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Surveying. Usually bench mark a marked point of known or assumed elevation from which other elevations may be established. BM
adjective
verb (used with object)
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to test (something) in order to develop a standard.
IT benchmarked the new software.
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to measure (something) against a standard.
executive salaries benchmarked against the industry.
noun
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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
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a criterion by which to measure something; standard; reference point
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( as modifier )
a benchmark test
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verb
Etymology
Origin of benchmark
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While the benchmark large-cap index was less than 2% away from its record high, it has yet to close above the 7,000 mark.
From MarketWatch
Oil futures gained 3.2% on Friday in anticipation of a potential conflict, leaving the benchmark crude price up almost 17% year to date.
From Barron's
That extends a rally in bonds that has clipped more than 30 basis points, or hundredths of a percentage point, from the yield on the benchmark paper over the past month.
From Barron's
The blue-chip benchmark is still on its longest monthly winning streak since 2018.
However, the largest stocks in the market, the so-called Magnificent Seven, also have dragged benchmarks lower.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
