break·through
ˈbrāk-ˌthrü 
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
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 David Rasbach 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
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
Maria Raven 3
warfare
: an offensive military assault that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line
broke through; broken through; breaking through; breaks through
: to make a breakthrough
Synonyms
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 WebUSA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Less than two weeks after rolling back one of Amazon’s most ambitious artificial intelligence projects — a cashierless checkout technology called Just Walk Out — CEO Andy Jassy expressed confidence that the future of the company’s biggest breakthroughs for customers will come from generative AI.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Musk weighed in on the rapid pace of artificial intelligence breakthroughs, his hurdles with building xAI, and the prospect of colonizing Mars in conversation with Tangen.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 11 Apr. 2024
Be flexible enough to alter tack and make room for changes which will offer you breakthroughs in the long run.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
That truth led to a breakthrough for the Hip-Hop starlet.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Benson Boone scored a massive pop breakthrough by throwing over his usual gentle piano for an electric guitar explosion.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The talks in Cairo, also attended by CIA Director William Burns, have so far failed to reach a breakthrough.
—NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Now, candidates are racing to break through the fog before the polls close in less than a month.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Or surrounding a theater at UC Berkeley that was supposed to host a talk by an Israeli lawyer, smashing windows, breaking through locked doors, spitting on and grabbing at least one student by the neck and forcing Jewish students to flee through an underground exit.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Since breaking through with her One Foot in Front of the Other mixtape in 2021, the 23-year-old rising star has earned a BRIT Award as well as Taylor Swift's stamp of approval and songwriting advice from Chris Martin.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Last night, a group of anti-government protesters attempted to break through barricades at Netanyahu's home during the fourth night of demonstrations.
—NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The brothers are determined to break through in Nashville.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Pegula, who has never advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tourney despite spending most of the past three years ranked in the top five, is trying to finally break through behind bold decision-making.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2024
March 20 Vehicle burglary: Between 5 p.m. on March 19 and 9 a.m. on March 20, someone broke through a window of a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 20000 block of Carniel Avenue.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Read the full Leo Daily Horoscope Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Making a breakthrough?
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Less than two weeks after rolling back one of Amazon’s most ambitious artificial intelligence projects — a cashierless checkout technology called Just Walk Out — CEO Andy Jassy expressed confidence that the future of the company’s biggest breakthroughs for customers will come from generative AI.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Musk weighed in on the rapid pace of artificial intelligence breakthroughs, his hurdles with building xAI, and the prospect of colonizing Mars in conversation with Tangen.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 11 Apr. 2024
Be flexible enough to alter tack and make room for changes which will offer you breakthroughs in the long run.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
That truth led to a breakthrough for the Hip-Hop starlet.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Benson Boone scored a massive pop breakthrough by throwing over his usual gentle piano for an electric guitar explosion.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The talks in Cairo, also attended by CIA Director William Burns, have so far failed to reach a breakthrough.
—NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
Still, these interjections fail to break through the monotony of the show.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Now, candidates are racing to break through the fog before the polls close in less than a month.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Or surrounding a theater at UC Berkeley that was supposed to host a talk by an Israeli lawyer, smashing windows, breaking through locked doors, spitting on and grabbing at least one student by the neck and forcing Jewish students to flee through an underground exit.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Since breaking through with her One Foot in Front of the Other mixtape in 2021, the 23-year-old rising star has earned a BRIT Award as well as Taylor Swift's stamp of approval and songwriting advice from Chris Martin.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Last night, a group of anti-government protesters attempted to break through barricades at Netanyahu's home during the fourth night of demonstrations.
—NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The brothers are determined to break through in Nashville.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Pegula, who has never advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tourney despite spending most of the past three years ranked in the top five, is trying to finally break through behind bold decision-making.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2024
March 20 Vehicle burglary: Between 5 p.m. on March 19 and 9 a.m. on March 20, someone broke through a window of a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 20000 block of Carniel Avenue.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 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
Phrases Containing breakthrough
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Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakthrough. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
breakthrough
noun
break·through
ˈbrāk-ˌthrü
: a sudden advance in knowledge or technique
a breakthrough in medical science
Medical Definition
breakthrough
noun
break·through
ˈbrāk-ˌthrü
: 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
Nglish: Translation of breakthrough for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of breakthrough for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breakthrough
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