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Added 9 October 2026

breakthrough

/ˈbɹeɪk.θɹuː/ adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about breakthrough at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Characterized by major progress or overcoming some obstacle.
a breakthrough technological advance
Involving the contraction of a disease by a person with a decreased susceptibility, such as a person who has been vaccinated to help prevent that disease.

noun

An advance through and past enemy lines.
Any major progress; such as a great innovation or discovery that overcomes a significant obstacle.
Albert Einstein is credited with making some of the greatest breakthroughs in modern physics.
The penetration of the opposition's defence.

Origin

From break + through. Compare German Durchbruch and Dutch doorbraak (“breakthrough”, literally “through-break”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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