Definition

Noun: 1. A penetration of a barrier such as an enemy's defense: A sudden, significant, and often forceful advance past a point of resistance or obstacle. 2. Making an important discovery: A significant and sudden development or achievement, especially in scientific research or understanding, that solves a major problem or opens up new possibilities. 3. A productive insight: A sudden, clear, and useful idea or realization that helps to solve a problem or make progress.

Usage Examples

• Penetration of a barrier:
  • The army's breakthrough on the eastern front changed the course of the war.
  • After months of negotiations, a diplomatic breakthrough was finally achieved.
• Important discovery:
  • The research team announced a major breakthrough in the search for a vaccine.
  • This new battery technology represents a real breakthrough for renewable energy.
• Productive insight:
  • Her breakthrough came when she realized the data could be interpreted in a completely different way.
  • The writer had a creative breakthrough and finished the novel in a week.

Advanced Usage

• "A breakthrough in": This is the most common collocation, used to specify the field or area of the achievement.
  • Scientists hope for a breakthrough in cancer treatment.
  • The company is celebrating a breakthrough in artificial intelligence.
• "A breakthrough moment": Refers to the specific point in time when the breakthrough occurs.
  • Winning that championship was a breakthrough moment for the young athlete.
• "A breakthrough performance": Used in arts and sports to describe a performance that brings someone significant recognition for the first time.
  • The actor's role in the indie film was a breakthrough performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Break through (phrasal verb): To force a way through a barrier or obstacle.
  • The protesters broke through the police line.
• Groundbreaking (adjective): Pioneering; involving new ideas or methods and achieving significant results.
  • It was a groundbreaking study that challenged old theories.

Synonyms

• Advance: A forward movement or development.
• Discovery: The act of finding something previously unknown.
• Innovation: A new method, idea, or product.
• Milestone: A significant stage or event in development.
• Revolution: A dramatic and wide-reaching change.

Related Phrases

• Make a breakthrough: To achieve a breakthrough.
  • Researchers are working hard to make a breakthrough in this field.
• On the verge of a breakthrough: Very close to achieving a significant development.
  • Many believe we are on the verge of a breakthrough in quantum computing.

Noun

1. a penetration of a barrier such as an enemy's defense
2. making an important discovery
3. a productive insight