icebreaker

American  

[ahys-brey-ker] / ˈaɪsˌbreɪ kər /

noun

1. Nautical. a ship specially built for breaking navigable passages through ice.

2. an opening remark, action, etc., designed to ease tension or relieve formality.

   A mild joke can be a good icebreaker.

3. a tool or machine for chopping ice into small pieces.

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icebreaker British  

/ ˈaɪsˌbreɪkə /

noun

1. Also called: iceboat.  a vessel with a reinforced bow for breaking up the ice in bodies of water to keep channels open for navigation

2. any tool or device for breaking ice into smaller pieces

3. something intended to relieve mutual shyness at a gathering of strangers

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Etymology

Origin of icebreaker

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; ice + breaker ¹

Explanation

An icebreaker can be an exercise or game that's meant to introduce people to each other in a fun, relaxed way. You know the first day of school, when you are asked to share your favorite stuffed animal — that's an icebreaker. If you invite party guests who've never met, you might play a game or tell some jokes as an icebreaker. A more formal icebreaker could involve games or songs that help people remember each other's names, for example. In this metaphor, the "ice" is the tension caused by being in an unfamiliar situation or meeting new people. The original icebreaker was literally that: a ship designed to break through ice in frozen channels at sea.

Example Sentences

For Wesley Wark, a national security expert at the Center for International Governance Innovation, icebreaker fleets are a key part of the defense innovation required to safeguard Canada's position.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

In 2022, the researchers traveled aboard the now-decommissioned U.S. icebreaker, the Nathaniel B. Palmer, to the Dotson Ice Shelf in the Amundsen Sea of West Antarctica.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

Lin leaves stacks of “conversation cards” featuring icebreaker questions on the tables at Coffee Confessionals, to help prompt connection between strangers or for those on first dates.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Since Chilcott was also going on what she described as “a fair number of Hinge dates,” she decided to use her fresh bakes as an icebreaker.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Routine was a powerful icebreaker with the boys who drank their morning coffee with Hobie.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy