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Definition/Meaning

(noun)

A standard or point of reference for measuring quality or performance.

e.g. The company set a new benchmark for customer service with its 24/7 support team.

(noun)

a test or standardized problem that can be used to evaluate the performance quality of something (usually for a computer);

e.g. The gamer ran the benchmark program on his new PC to see whether the processor was working at its full capacity.

(noun)

a mark on a wall or pillar that can be used as a reference point for topographical surveys, measuring altitudes and other measurements;

e.g. The water rises above the benchmark, meaning there is a chance that there could be a flood.

(verb)

to check or evaluate something against a standard;

e.g. The company benchmarked its performance against other companies in the industry to see how well they were doing.

(verb)

to perform or show particular results during a benchmark test;

e.g. The average of the hybrid car should benchmark between 40-60 miles per gallon.

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Similar Words

Bar

Barometer

Criterion

Gold

Grade

Mark

Measure

Metric

Par

Standard

Touchstone

Yardstick

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Opposite Words

Aberration

Abnormality

Deviation

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Related Words

Apotheosis

Average

Byword

Caliber

Case

Class

Classic

Compass

Cynosure

Direction

Epitome

Example

Exemplar

Focus

Grade

Ideal

Instance

Loadstar

Lodestar

Norm

Perfection

Polestar

Quality

Quintessence

Rate

Rule

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