Dictionary
breakthrough
noun, break·through often attributive \ˈbrāk-ˌthrü\
: a sudden increase in knowledge, understanding, etc. : an important discovery that happens after trying for a long time to understand or explain something
: a person's first important success
Full Definition of BREAKTHROUGH
1
: an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare
2
: an act or instance of breaking through an obstacle <a breakthrough agreement>
3
a : a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique <a medical breakthrough> b : a person's first notable success <a breakthrough novel>
See breakthrough defined for English-language learners
See breakthrough defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of BREAKTHROUGH
1918
Related to BREAKTHROUGH
- Synonyms
- advancement, advance, enhancement, improvement, refinement
- Antonyms
- setback
Rhymes with BREAKTHROUGH
accrue, achoo, adieu, ado, Agnew, aircrew, airscrew, anew, askew, babu, Baku, bamboo, battu, battue, bayou, bedew, beshrew, bestrew, bijou, boo-boo, boubou, brand-new, burgoo, cachou, can-do, canoe, caoutchouc, Carew, Cebu, Chonju, construe, Corfu, corkscrew, coypu, CQ, cuckoo, curfew, debut, Depew, doo-doo, ecu, endue, ensue, eschew, floor-through, fondue, fordo, Gansu, Gentoo, Gifu, goo-goo, GQ, ground crew, gumshoe, guru, hairdo, hereto, Hindu, home brew, Honshu, horseshoe, how-to, HQ, Hutu, igloo, imbrue, imbue, IQ, jackscrew, K2, Kansu, karoo, Karoo, kazoo, Khufu, kung fu, Kwangju, leadscrew, lean-to, long view, make-do, Matthew, me-too, mildew, milieu, miscue, misdo, muumuu, non-U, old-shoe, one-two, on view, outdo, perdu, Peru, poilu, prau, preview, pursue, purview, ragout, redo, renew, Renfrew, review, revue, rough-hew, run-through, sandshoe, Sardou, see-through, set-to, setscrew, shampoo, sinew, skiddoo, snafu, snowshoe, soft-shoe, span-new, subdue, surtout, taboo, Taegu, tattoo, thank-you, thereto, thumbscrew, to-do, too-too, tree shrew, undo, undue, unglue, unscrew, untrue, vatu, vendue, venue, virtu, voodoo, wahoo, walk-through, wherethrough, whereto, who's who, worldview, yahoo, yoo-hoo
BREAKTHROUGH Defined for Kids
breakthrough
noun break·through \ˈbrāk-ˌthrü\
Definition of BREAKTHROUGH for Kids
: a sudden advance or successful development <a breakthrough in medical research>
Learn More About BREAKTHROUGH
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: break throughPrevious Word in the Dictionary: breakstoneAll Words Near: breakthrough
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up breakthrough? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).