Doorbraken

Doorbraken is a Dutch term used primarily as the plural form of doorbraak, meaning breakthroughs. A doorbraak refers to a significant advance that overcomes an obstacle, enabling new possibilities in a field such as science, medicine, technology, engineering, or policy. Breakthroughs can be sudden or incremental, but they are characterized by their potential to alter the direction of research, development, or practice.

The word derives from door (through) and breken (to break), literally conveying the act of breaking through barriers. In ordinary Dutch usage, doorbraken is common in discussions of research results, experimental methods, or strategic shifts. The term can describe both individual achievements and the cumulative progress of a program or discipline.

In addition to its noun sense, doorbraken also resembles a verb form with the verb doorbreken (to break through), especially visible in past tense forms when used in narrative contexts. The term is widely used in journalism, academic writing, and policy discussions to mark notable progress. Related terms include breakthrough, paradigm shift, and innovation.