groundbreaking

adjective

ground·​break·​ing ˈgrau̇n(d)-ˌbrā-kiŋ How to pronounce groundbreaking (audio)
: introducing new ideas or methods
has written a groundbreaking work

Examples of groundbreaking in a Sentence

She was honored for her groundbreaking work in nuclear physics.
Recent Examples on the Web Legal experts say the groundbreaking verdict could set an important precedent for the extent to which parents of school shooters can be held responsible for their child’s actions. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 The beds are portioned out to the state's tribal communities and 15 counties, and a consent decree from the groundbreaking Arnold v. Sarn lawsuit limits the number of civil beds for Maricopa County to 55. The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand A ‘Wary Faith’ in the Courts A groundbreaking new book demonstrates that even during the days of slavery, African Americans knew a lot more about legal principles than has been imagined. Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 12 Mar. 2024 And the night’s one big surprise was a little awkward, with Emma Stone collecting her second Best Actress trophy, for Poor Things, spoiling the chance of a groundbreaking victory for the Native American actor Lily Gladstone in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. David Sims, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 Gladstone, 37, found groundbreaking success for her role as Osage woman Mollie Kyle in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 At least 20 new restaurants opened around the Sacramento region in February, from a groundbreaking Ethiopian eatery to a celebrity pizza-maker’s suburban slice shop. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2024 This trajectory exemplifies how groundbreaking technologies might initially seem underwhelming, only to become indispensable over a longer horizon. Marc Emmer, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Robbins asks the intern class, seemingly alluding to their chance to join her for a groundbreaking fetal surgery. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'groundbreaking.' 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

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundbreaking was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near groundbreaking

Cite this Entry

“Groundbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundbreaking. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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