What does "benchmark" mean?

1. (a standard for comparison) a level of quality that other things are compared to. 2. (computing performance test) a test used to measure how well a computer or a piece of software works. 3. (surveying mark) a mark made on a rock or building by a surveyor to show the exact height of that spot. 4. (to evaluate against a standard) to test something to see how it compares to a standard or to other similar things.

How do you use "benchmark"?

Often used with the verbs 'set', 'establish', or 'reach'. Commonly used as a countable noun in technical reports. Often used with 'against'.

benchmark

n. · v.

US //ˈbɛntʃˌmɑɹk// UK //bˈɛntʃmɑːk// bench·mark

1 a standard for comparison (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

a level of quality that other things are compared to.

a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.

Example

The new safety rules will become the benchmark for all factories in the country.

Example

The company's customer service department has set a new benchmark for efficiency that its competitors are now struggling to match.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'set', 'establish', or 'reach'.
2 computing performance test (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Computing

a test used to measure how well a computer or a piece of software works.

a standardised problem or test used to evaluate the performance of hardware or software.

Example

The latest benchmark shows that the new processor is twice as fast as the old one.

Example

Independent reviewers ran a series of benchmarks to determine if the graphics card could handle high-resolution rendering without overheating.

Usage

Commonly used as a countable noun in technical reports.
- test
- evaluation

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 surveying mark (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical

a mark made on a rock or building by a surveyor to show the exact height of that spot.

a surveyor's mark on a permanent fixed object, such as a stone or building, used as a reference point in determining elevations.

Example

The surveyor looked for the old benchmark carved into the base of the church tower.

Example

The historical survey relied on a series of brass benchmarks embedded in the city's oldest stone bridges to calculate the flood risk accurately.
- reference point
- marker
4 to evaluate against a standard (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

to test something to see how it compares to a standard or to other similar things.

to evaluate or check something by comparison with a standard.

Example

We need to benchmark our prices against those of our main competitors.

Example

The agency was hired to benchmark the university's research output against other leading institutions in the region.

Usage

Often used with 'against'.

Origin

From bench + mark. First use appears c. 1842. Originally a mark cut into a stone by land surveyors to secure a bench (from land surveying jargon in the 19th century, meaning a type of bracket), to mount measuring equipment. The figurative sense first appears c. 1884.