Definition of "inroad" in English

noun

1. (military, also figuratively) An advance into enemy territory, an attempted invasion; an encroachment, an incursion.

2. (figuratively, usually in the plural) Often followed by in, into, or on: initial progress made toward accomplishing a goal or solving a problem.

   • Three weeks into it, I am finally beginning to make inroads on this project.

verb

1. (intransitive, archaic) To make advances or incursions.

2. (transitive, obsolete) To make an inroad into (something).