benchmark
BENCH-mark
/ˈbɛntʃˌmɑːrk/
A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.
A benchmark is usually a high-performing competitor or a past performance record used to measure current success.
The story behind the word. Originally a surveyor's mark. Surveyors would cut a notch into a stone 'bench' or wall to support a bracket (a 'bench mark') that held their leveling staff at a known height.
Word relationships
- yardstick: A yardstick is a more informal term for a standard of comparison.
- criterion: A criterion is a requirement for a decision; a benchmark is a level of quality to match.
Commonly confused with
- target: A target is where you want to go; a benchmark is a measure of how well you are doing compared to others.
Word family
- benchmarking (noun): The process of comparing performance.
Collocations
- industry benchmark
- set a benchmark
- benchmark performance
- standard benchmark
Example sentences
- "The company's performance was benchmarked against its top three competitors." Business Performance
- "The new processor set a new benchmark for speed and efficiency." Computing
Memory hook
A mark on a bench to see how tall you've grown. The mark to beat.
When not to use
Don't use it for a simple goal; a benchmark is a comparison point, not just a target.
Fun facts
- In computing, 'benchmarking' is the act of running a computer program to assess the relative performance of an object.
Related words
Also appears in
- Business → Performance Evaluation
- Business → Quality Control & Standards
- Finance → Investment & Portfolio Management
- Education & Pedagogy → Assessment, Rubrics & Evaluation
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Macroeconomic Indicators
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Monetary Policy & Central Banks
- Education & Pedagogy → Standardized Testing & Exams
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