breakthrough
n. countablen. a sudden and important discovery or success. You use this when someone finally solves a difficult problem after trying for a long time.
n. a significant and dramatic development or discovery that overcomes a major obstacle. Often used in scientific, medical, or diplomatic contexts to describe a pivotal advancement.
Scientists made a major breakthrough in cancer research this year.
After months of failed negotiations, the two countries finally reached a diplomatic breakthrough regarding the border dispute.
The team's recent breakthrough in quantum computing could potentially render current encryption methods obsolete within a decade.
From break + through. Compare German Durchbruch and Dutch doorbraak (“breakthrough”, literally “through-break”).
Commonly used with the verb 'to make' or 'to achieve'.
The scientists broke through in their research.The scientists made a breakthrough in their research.Learners often confuse the phrasal verb 'break through' with the noun 'breakthrough'; when describing the discovery itself, the noun form with 'make' is standard.