Words / B1

BRAYKTHR-oo/ˈbreɪkθruː/

A breakthrough is an important success after difficulty: a scientific breakthrough; a breakthrough in talks. Advance and discovery are close; a step is smaller. Breakthrough can also describe a first big hit (a breakthrough album). Do not call a routine software patch a breakthrough. Hyphen: breakthrough as a noun is one word.

Meaning

An important discovery or success after a period of difficulty.

Examples

• “Researchers announced a breakthrough in the cancer trial.”
• “Researchers announced a breakthrough in the vaccine trial.”
• “A breakthrough in the pay talks came after the weekend, not during the walkout.”

Good to know

a breakthrough in + field/talks. Smaller: a step. Close: discovery / advance. One word as a noun.

Near in meaning

advance

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