Record breaker
Meaning
Someone or something that surpasses a previously established best performance, achievement, or standard.
Origin
The idea of a 'record' as a formal, measurable best achievement truly solidified with the rise of organized competitive sports in the 19th century. As track and field, horse racing, and other athletic pursuits began to meticulously log times, distances, and scores, the notion of a definitive 'best' performance became a universal benchmark. It was in this era that the exhilarating act of an athlete or entity surpassing a previously established mark became a celebrated phenomenon—they didn't just win; they shattered the existing standard. This concrete, quantifiable achievement cemented the phrase 'record breaker' as a powerful symbol of unparalleled excellence and progress across all fields of human endeavor.
Examples
- The athlete became a record breaker after finishing the marathon in an unprecedented time.
- His new invention, which doubles battery life, is being hailed as a record breaker in the tech industry.