inroad
inroad Lexical Profile
inroad Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A notable advance, penetration, or progress into a new area, market, or activity, often at the expense of a competitor or existing limit (usually used in the plural).
"Renewable energy technologies have made significant inroads into the global power market over the past decade."
A hostile incursion, raid, or sudden encroachment into foreign or protected territory.
"Historical chronicles describe the frequent inroads made by nomadic tribes along the empire's northern frontier."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern English, "inroad" is most frequently used in the plural phrase "make inroads into" or "make inroads on," which can mean either achieving significant progress in a new field or gradually consuming a limited resource.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-16th century from "in" and "road" in its older sense of a "riding" or "mounted raid" (related to Old English "rad," meaning a ride or expedition).