adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The point at which construction begins, by digging into the ground. countable, uncountable
2. 2
   the ceremonial breaking of the ground to formally begin a construction project wordnet
3. 3
   A ceremony to mark the beginning of construction. countable, uncountable

Adjective

1. 1
   Innovative; new, different; doing something that has never been done before.

   "The latest model includes several groundbreaking features and improvements."

Adjective

1. 1
   being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

groundbreaking ceremonyhistoricinnovationalinnovationalinnovativemould-breaking

Example

More examples

"Everything Tom did was groundbreaking."

Etymology

From ground + breaking, in reference to the practice of breaking ground at the beginning of a new building or construction.

Related phrases

break groundcutting edge

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.