läbimurde

Läbimurre is an Estonian noun meaning a decisive breakthrough or turning point that allows progress beyond previous limits. It refers to a development or moment in which barriers are overcome and a field, process, or activity enters a new phase, often accompanied by rapid or lasting change. The term is used across science, technology, industry, economy, and public life to describe major progress that redefines what is possible.

Läbimurre is typically applied to situations where existing frameworks or capabilities are surpassed by a new discovery, invention, method, or approach. In science and technology, it denotes a breakthrough that enables new capabilities or understanding; in business and economics, it can describe disruptive innovations or shifts in market structure; in politics or society, it may indicate a fundamental change in policy or social norms. The term is closely related to, but not identical with, synonyms such as murre ("break"), murrang ("turning point"), and paradigma muutus ("paradigm shift").

Etymology: the word is formed from the prefix läbi- ("through") and murre ("break, crack"), used metaphorically to express breaking through previous limits. The form läbimurde appears in contexts describing the associated genitive or attributive constructions.