BENCHMARK

I. noun Date: circa 1842 a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations, 2. a point of reference from which measurements may be made, something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged, a standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison (as of computer system performance), II. transitive verb Date: 1972 to study (as a competitor's product or business practices) in order to improve the performance of one's own company