Godan verb with 'ku' ending, Transitive verb
to cut open
彼は、その封筒を切り開いた。He cut the envelope open. to clear (land); to cut (a path, road, etc.); to open; to cut one's way through (e.g. a jungle)
to carve out (a new career, future, etc.); to open up (a new field)
Also written 切り拓く【きりひらく】、切りひらく【きりひらく】