a military movement or advance all the way through and beyond an enemy's front-line defense.

an act or instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction; the overcoming of a stalemate

The president reported a breakthrough in the treaty negotiations.

any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, or increase, as in scientific knowledge or diplomacy, that removes a barrier to progress

The jet engine was a major breakthrough in air transport.

constituting a breakthrough

engineered with breakthrough technology; Critics called it a breakthrough film.

noun

step back , step backward

noun

boost , development , discovery , find , finding , gain , hike , improvement , increase , invention , leap , progress , quantum leap * , rise , step forward , advance