drift ice

noun

1. detached floating ice in masses that drift with the wind or ocean currents, as in the polar seas.

drift ice

noun

1. masses of ice floating in the open sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of drift ice¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Frequent gatherings of drift-ice passed, and at times ground together with a disagreeably strong sound.

From Project Gutenberg

Here they saw an enormous herd of walruses, lying piled up over each other on the loose drift ice.

From Project Gutenberg

Fog and rain and drift-ice were to be met on the grounds of Candlestick Cove.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, Agassiz seems to me mad about glaciers, and apparently never thinks of drift ice.

From Project Gutenberg

The drift ice which the tempest had piled up around the "Alaska" had been broken up, and much of it had drifted away.

From Project Gutenberg