1. A standard by which something can be measured or judged
   "his painting sets the benchmark of quality"
    
2. A surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point
   "The surveyors used the benchmark on the old church to establish elevation for the new construction";
   - bench mark

1. Evaluate relative to some benchmark standard or scale
   "We need to benchmark our performance against industry leaders"

Derived forms: benchmarking, bench marks, benchmarks, benchmarked

Type of: criterion, measure, point of reference, reference, reference point, standard, touchstone

Encyclopedia: Benchmark