benchmark — a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbentʃmɑːrk/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother's cooking is the benchmark for all Korean restaurants - even Gordon Ramsay would bow down!
- The CSAT score has become a benchmark for measuring academic achievement in Korea.
- His terrible karaoke performance set a new benchmark for how NOT to sing 'My Way'.
benchmark
NOUN[/ˈbentʃmɑːrk/]
a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed
The students used last year's top score as a benchmark.
The benchmark helped the team measure its progress. (BEST + MARK = BENCHMARK → a standard used to measure performance)
The benchmark earned a check mark and became a hallmark of excellence.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the combination of 'bench' (a long seat or workbench) and 'mark' (a sign or standard). The term originated in surveying and engineering, where surveyors would chisel marks into stone benches or fixed objects to indicate precise elevation or measurement points for reference.
Breakdown
bench (a fixed surface or reference point) + mark (a sign or standard) = benchmark (a standard reference point for measurement or comparison)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother's cooking is the benchmark for all Korean restaurants - even Gordon Ramsay would bow down!”
“The CSAT score has become a benchmark for measuring academic achievement in Korea.”
“His terrible karaoke performance set a new benchmark for how NOT to sing 'My Way'.”
“We benchmark our customer satisfaction rates quarterly to ensure continuous improvement.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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