genombrott

Genombrott is a Swedish noun meaning a breakthrough—a decisive, new development that changes a field or enables new possibilities. The term is used across science, medicine, technology, industry, culture, and politics to describe a significant advance that often follows a period of effort or difficulty.

Etymology: The word is formed from genom, meaning through or across, and brott, meaning break or rupture. Together, genombrott conveys the sense of breaking through a barrier or obstacle.

Usage: In scientific research, a genombrott refers to a discovery or result that opens new research directions or enables practical applications. In industry, it may denote a new product, process, or platform with broad impact. In media and public discourse, it signals sustained, noticeable change rather than a single, isolated finding.

Assessment: Whether a development is labeled a genombrott depends on its lasting impact, reproducibility, and scale of adoption. Critics argue that the term can be used hype-wise, so significance is often judged by subsequent developments and real-world effects. The concept is closely linked to notions of innovation, disruption, and transformative progress.