What does "breakthrough" mean?

1. (major discovery) a sudden and important discovery or success, especially in science or medicine. 2. (military/sports penetration) the act of breaking through a line of defense, like in a war or a game. 3. (highly successful) describing a success that makes someone famous or shows great progress. 4. (medical infection after vaccine) describing an illness that someone catches even though they were vaccinated against it.

How do you use "breakthrough"?

Usually modifies 'infection' or 'case'.

breakthrough

n. · adj.

US //ˈbɹeɪkˌθɹu// UK //bɹˈeɪkθɹuː// break·through

1 major discovery (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

a sudden and important discovery or success, especially in science or medicine.

a significant and often sudden advance or discovery that overcomes a major obstacle or impasse.

Example

Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.

Example

The research team announced a significant breakthrough in battery technology, potentially doubling the range of electric vehicles within the next decade.
- setback
- failure
2 military/sports penetration (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of breaking through a line of defense, like in a war or a game.

the act of penetrating an opponent's defensive line or fortifications.

Example

The army achieved a breakthrough after weeks of fighting at the border.

Example

The striker's sudden breakthrough in the final minutes of the match caught the defenders completely off guard.
- penetration
- rupture
- stalemate

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3 highly successful (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

describing a success that makes someone famous or shows great progress.

characterised by major progress or marking a significant transition to a higher level of success or recognition.

Example

The young actress had her breakthrough role in a popular TV drama.

Example

Following several years of modest sales, the band finally achieved breakthrough success with their third studio album.
- pivotal
- revolutionary
4 medical infection after vaccine (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

describing an illness that someone catches even though they were vaccinated against it.

relating to the contraction of a disease by an individual who has been vaccinated or has existing immunity.

Example

The doctor explained that breakthrough infections are usually very mild.

Example

Public health officials monitored the rate of breakthrough cases to determine if the vaccine's efficacy was waning over time.

Usage

Usually modifies 'infection' or 'case'.

Origin

From break + through. Compare German Durchbruch and Dutch doorbraak (“breakthrough”, literally “through-break”).