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 WebTom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough came months after strikes at the Big Three Detroit automakers — Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis, all of which have long been unionized.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The alto saxophonist had previously gone 0-11 at the Grammys, so this year’s win was a breakthrough.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024
Over Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department, Swift — perhaps unconsciously — adopts Antonoff’s melodic cadence, this sprawling delivery that runs on like manic thoughts chasing a breakthrough, so tunnel-visioned that there’s no time to go back and edit them down.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough came as the result of a clever bit of trial and error and the unraveling of a mystery that led the team to a single chip.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
Kohn also became a de facto grandfather for Perlin’s son, and in a perfect coda to this relationship, that son, Pesach, is now a Ph.D in organic chemistry, pursuing work that draws upon the breakthroughs that won Kohn the Nobel Prize.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Experimentation can lead you to a major breakthrough.
—USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough also triggered a wave of UAW organizing, the union says.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024
The war has intensified in recent weeks, as more Russian strikes break through with Ukraine's air defenses running low.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
But the Royals finally broke through in the sixth inning.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2024
Five pitches later, the Giants had broken through in the run column, too.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Alabama had only one runner reach second base through seven innings before breaking through in the eighth against McEntire with four consecutive singles with no outs by nine-hole hitter Bryce Eblin, Miller, Ian Petrutz and Lebron to score two runs.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 13 Apr. 2024
Y’all are just going to have to break through the door.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Suzanne Crouch is hoping her extensive experience and connections through the ranks of government will break through to voters.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Still, these interjections fail to break through the monotony of the show.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Noun
The only breakthrough came on Helfrick's home run, a 387-blast to left field for the freshman's third of the season.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough came months after strikes at the Big Three Detroit automakers — Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis, all of which have long been unionized.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The alto saxophonist had previously gone 0-11 at the Grammys, so this year’s win was a breakthrough.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024
Over Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department, Swift — perhaps unconsciously — adopts Antonoff’s melodic cadence, this sprawling delivery that runs on like manic thoughts chasing a breakthrough, so tunnel-visioned that there’s no time to go back and edit them down.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough came as the result of a clever bit of trial and error and the unraveling of a mystery that led the team to a single chip.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
Kohn also became a de facto grandfather for Perlin’s son, and in a perfect coda to this relationship, that son, Pesach, is now a Ph.D in organic chemistry, pursuing work that draws upon the breakthroughs that won Kohn the Nobel Prize.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Experimentation can lead you to a major breakthrough.
—USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The breakthrough also triggered a wave of UAW organizing, the union says.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
The campus was packed with hundreds of people who supported the encampment, forming a picket line on all sides of the lawn; when the police broke through, the supporters erupted in chants and jeers.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024
The war has intensified in recent weeks, as more Russian strikes break through with Ukraine's air defenses running low.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
But the Royals finally broke through in the sixth inning.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2024
Five pitches later, the Giants had broken through in the run column, too.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Alabama had only one runner reach second base through seven innings before breaking through in the eighth against McEntire with four consecutive singles with no outs by nine-hole hitter Bryce Eblin, Miller, Ian Petrutz and Lebron to score two runs.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 13 Apr. 2024
Y’all are just going to have to break through the door.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Suzanne Crouch is hoping her extensive experience and connections through the ranks of government will break through to voters.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Still, these interjections fail to break through the monotony of the show.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakthrough. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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