breakthrough
pronunciation
How to pronounce breakthrough in British English:
UK [ˈbreɪkθruː]
How to pronounce breakthrough in American English:
US [ˈbreɪkθruː]
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- Noun:
- a productive insight
- making an important discovery
- a penetration of a barrier such as an enemy's defense
Word Origin
- breakthrough (n.)
- 1918, in a military sense, from break (v.) + through (adv.). The verbal phrase is attested from c. 1400. Meaning "abrupt solution or progress" is from 1930s, on the notion of a successful attack.
Example
- 1. Behind this scientific breakthrough was british researcher robert edwards .
- 2. But the next chinese breakthrough may actually come in an unexpected field .
- 3. On cost , the bill appears at first blush to offer a breakthrough .
- 4. Clearly the kremlin would like to be the one to broker a breakthrough in the arab-israeli peace negotiations .
- 5. Yet this breakthrough has proved elusive .