breakthrough

1 of 2

noun

break·​through ˈbrāk-ˌthrü How to pronounce breakthrough (audio)
plural breakthroughs
1
a
: a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique
a medical breakthrough
b
: a person's first notable success
often used before another noun
a breakthrough novel
the actress's breakthrough performance
2
a
: an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle
a breakthrough in the talks between the region's leaders
a breakthrough agreement
b
: an instance of passing through a barrier or protection
The ice under the surface begins to deteriorate, increasing the risk of breakthroughs.Vicki Winger
specifically, medical : infection occurring in someone who is fully vaccinated against an infectious agent
A vaccine breakthrough occurs when a person tests positive for COVID-19 two weeks after being fully vaccinated against the disease … David Rasbach
often used before another noun
Two other CDC studies of breakthrough cases at nursing homes showed the vaccines protected residents, even when the virus spread through the homes. Maura Dolan
… the academy recently recommended that children receive two doses of the chicken pox vaccine, rather than just one, because the additional dose bolsters immunity and may help reduce breakthrough infection. Maria Raven
3
warfare : an offensive military assault that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line

break through

2 of 2

verb

broke through; broken through; breaking through; breaks through

intransitive verb

: to make a breakthrough

Examples of breakthrough in a Sentence

Noun Researchers say they have made a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. The police have announced a breakthrough in the murder case. This job could be the breakthrough she's been waiting for.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Related article How red light can affect your sleep But one of the biggest breakthroughs came when the team realized that Sharrah did not see distortions on 2D images. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Reflecting on his journey, Davido emphasizes the importance of incremental breakthroughs and the relentless pursuit of success at every stage. Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024 If successful, the breakthrough offers hope to hundreds of thousands of Americans whose kidneys have failed. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Modeling for Playboy magazine a year prior, Carmen Electra made her breakthrough as dancing lifeguard Lani McKenzie in season 8 of Baywatch in 1997. Kathleen Perricone, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Later, on the phone, Gilroy told me that the plant’s existence was a genuine breakthrough, and an elegant piece of science. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Pupkin Film will produce Amsterdam Empire together with A Team Productions. Janssen, whose international breakthrough was playing Xenia Onatopp in Bond film GoldenEye (1999) was seen most recently alongside Bill Skarsgård in Moritz Mohr’s action film Boy Kills World. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024 The Ukrainians failed to achieve their goal last year of threatening Russia’s land route to occupied Crimea, and last month saw significant Russian breakthroughs. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Despite obvious modernization since the country’s democratic breakthrough 35 years ago, these complex bodies remain underfinanced and ineffective, which is perhaps the most important distinction between Poland and the countries of western Europe. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
The cover art similarly features Twigs’ face breaking through a nearly indecipherable image, with the members of Two Shell on either side of her. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024 Once ice on the lake is less than a foot thick, a towboat and barge can break through. Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Mitty broke through in the sixth inning after Keira Brady’s go-ahead RBI double brought home Mia Rodriguez to put the Monarchs up 2-1. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 More than 8 1/2 hours after the game started — and after 217 minutes, 14 seconds of play — Jensen breaks through to give the Storhamar Dragons a 2-1 victory over the Sparta Warriors. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Another secret-sauce question: The collaboration ecosystem has been saturated for ages, but some collabs still break through and really resonate. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 Congressional aides and former NIST employees say the agency has not been able to break through as a funding priority — even as lawmakers increasingly tout its role in addressing technological developments, including AI, chips and quantum. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 And endless convoys of trucks and armored vehicles marked Z and V breaking through along most of the Ukrainian border. TIME, 2 Mar. 2024 After 27 first-period saves by Linehan, the Ledgers finally broke through on a power-play goal by Fisher at 4:39 of the second period. Jim Hoehn, Twin Cities, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breakthrough.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakthrough was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near breakthrough

break the truce

breakthrough

break through

Cite this Entry

“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakthrough. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breakthrough

noun
break·​through ˈbrāk-ˌthrü How to pronounce breakthrough (audio)
: a sudden advance in knowledge or technique
a breakthrough in medical science

Medical Definition

breakthrough

noun
break·​through ˈbrāk-ˌthrü How to pronounce breakthrough (audio)
: infection occurring in someone who is fully vaccinated against an infectious agent
often used before another noun
breakthrough infections

More from Merriam-Webster on breakthrough

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