breakthrough

== English == === Alternative forms === breakthru (US, nonstandard) === Etymology === From break +‎ through. Compare German Durchbruch and Dutch doorbraak (“breakthrough”, literally “through-break”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈbɹeɪk.θɹuː/ === Adjective === breakthrough (not comparable) Characterized by major progress or overcoming some obstacle. (immunology) Involving the contraction of a disease by a person with a decreased susceptibility, such as a person who has been vaccinated to help prevent that disease. ==== Translations ==== === Noun === breakthrough (plural breakthroughs) (military) An advance through and past enemy lines. Any major progress; such as a great innovation or discovery that overcomes a significant obstacle. (sports) The penetration of the opposition's defence. (construction) The penetration of a separating wall or the remaining distance to an adjacent hollow (a crosscut in mining) or between two parts of a tunnel build from both ends; knockthrough. (medicine, sometimes attributive) The emergence or one or more symptoms of a condition despite medication or other medical treatment. ==== Derived terms ==== breakthrough bleeding ==== Translations ====