- 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.
- an established point of reference against which computers or programs can be measured in tests comparing their performance, reliability, etc.
- a marked point of known or assumed elevation from which other elevations may be established. Abbreviation: BM
- of, relating to, or resulting in a benchmark: benchmark test, benchmark study.
- 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.
- 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
- a criterion by which to measure something; standard; reference point
- (as modifier)
- to measure or test against a benchmark
