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Definition of "breakthrough" []

  • An act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or restriction. (noun)
  • A military offensive that penetrates an enemy's lines of defense. (noun)
  • A major achievement or success that permits further progress, as in technology. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "breakthrough" in a sentence
  • "The term breakthrough innovation is used consciously as opposed to nominal or incremental innovation with little or no social value."
  • "SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, first of all, I think -- the term breakthrough I think gets overused."
  • "Okay, okay, the word breakthrough has been hopelessly overused … and thus cheapened beyond recognition."