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
The follow-up to the MC’s breakthrough 2018 debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, Check out a snipped of Cardi’s new track below. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 In recent years, though, the problem began to benefit from more money, more data—importantly, troves of voice recordings online—and breakthroughs in the underlying software used for generating speech. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2024 But a genetic-therapy breakthrough specific to CF is still years, if not decades, away. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Under founder Barbara Picower, whom Bhargava replaced as president, JPB concentrated its grant making in three areas: reducing poverty, protecting the environment, and supporting medical breakthroughs. Alex Daniels Of The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 That same breakthrough is possible for other invasive species: aquatic and terrestrial plants, insects and animals. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 After a breakthrough decade in the 1970s where heavy metal captured a different subset of disillusioned listeners than the hippie movement before them, eschewing peace and love for something heavier and darker, many of the heavy metal bands who would endure as greats took stock of their sound. Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 The real breakthrough, however, came with the K-pop boy band Stray Kids. TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 The only available treatments right now extend survival by just a few months and are far from the breakthrough that is so desperately needed. Ourbrainbank, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
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 What to know: After falling short five times since 2014, Vista PEAK Prep finally broke through in the Sweet 16 last weekend, beating Discovery Canyon to reach its first Great 8. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 29 Feb. 2024 This may help prevent you from breaking through again. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The tally is regularly dominated by current-day, active superstars, but when something special happens, older acts have a chance of breaking through and earning their first placement on the list. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 In a way, Mahomes is breaking through another type of barrier. Patrick Mahomes, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 So when Jones and Johnson finally mended fences with his induction into the team’s Ring of Honor during the 2023 seasons, there were money who thought that this a break through was coming as the mythical Johnson curse had finally been lifted. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2024 Although measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 because of widespread vaccination, a few cases break through each year. Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024 McCready offered a short list of sectors that managed to break through: data centers, last-mile warehouses — and life sciences. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 20 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 19 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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