breakthrough

Everyday

1. A breakthrough is an important discovery or development that suddenly solves a problem or makes great progress. tree →
2. A breakthrough is a moment when someone finally succeeds after trying for a long time. tree →
3. A breakthrough is breaking through a barrier, such as an army breaking through enemy lines. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons breakthroughs include the discovery of penicillin, vaccines and DNA. In everyday life it is a moment like finally understanding fractions. In sport, a breakthrough season or goal brings first success. Phrases: make a breakthrough, a major breakthrough, a medical breakthrough, breakthrough moment.

Examples

• Penicillin was a breakthrough in medicine. tree →
• Scientists made a breakthrough in fighting the disease. tree →
• After weeks of practice, I had a breakthrough and could ride without stabilisers. tree →
• The detectives made a breakthrough when they found the fingerprint. tree →
• The first vaccine was a huge breakthrough. tree →
• Learning times tables was my maths breakthrough this year. tree →
• The soldiers made a breakthrough in the enemy's defences. tree →

Note

One word as a noun: a breakthrough. As a verb it is two words: «break through» (The sun broke through the clouds).