groundbreaking

American  

[ground-brey-king] / ˈgraʊndˌbreɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or ceremony of breaking ground for a new construction project.

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adjective

1. of or relating to such a ceremony.

2. originating or pioneering a new endeavor, field of inquiry, or the like.

   Pasteur's groundbreaking work in bacteriology.

Etymology

Origin of groundbreaking

First recorded in 1905–10; ground ¹ + break + -ing ¹, -ing ²

Explanation

Something groundbreaking is brand new, important, and original, like groundbreaking research that proves your cat really does love you. As a noun, groundbreaking is the traditional way of marking the very first day of a building project, when the ground is officially "broken," either literally with a shovel or figuratively. You could even attend the groundbreaking of a groundbreaking new hotel that's heated and cooled with sustainable geothermal energy. This word comes from the phrase to break ground, originally used to describe both construction and planting crops.

Example Sentences

That an artist controlled the narrative behind their own work was both novel and groundbreaking at a time when the art market was just beginning to dominate the gallery scene.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Much of the AI payoff for drugmakers so far has been streamlining back-office tasks or speeding up manufacturing rather than making groundbreaking drug research advances.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Her accomplishments include leading a groundbreaking campaign to make the city’s community college tuition free.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The EU executive is also exploring a possible bloc-wide age limit on social media after coming under intense pressure to take broader action following Australia's groundbreaking ban on using such platforms for under-16s.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

“So if this is all so groundbreaking and wonderful, why are we here?”

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• innovative
• revolutionary