Synonyms

groundbreaking

American

[ground-brey-king] / ˈgraʊndˌbreɪ kɪŋ /

noun

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

adjective

of or relating to such a ceremony.
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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What emerged was a groundbreaking proposal for how to define the term “cure” in myeloma.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

It typically takes three years from groundbreaking to production at other semiconductor facilities.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The book’s sweet spot is probably the 2007 introduction of the iPhone, the groundbreaking smartphone that remains the core of Apple’s business.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

In advance of the switch on, he said it was a "groundbreaking moment for UK energy innovation".

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

After going wacko at the groundbreaking ceremony, Chuck E. Muckle got demoted to the post of assistant junior vice-president.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023