icebreaker

[ahys-brey-ker]

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.

icebreaker

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of icebreaker¹

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

Example Sentences

Earlier this year, his administration said it plans to stop leasing the only American icebreaker dedicated to Antarctic research and reportedly paused developing a new vessel to succeed it.

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For the next hour, the two men discussed a broad range of issues - but primarily a deal to purchase 11 icebreaker ships.

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The Liberals say they will spend C$18bn on defence over the next four years, which will go to purchasing new equipment like submarines and heavy icebreakers that can be used in Canada's north.

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The vice-president said the US did not have immediate plans to expand the American military presence on the ground, but would invest more resources, including naval ships and military icebreakers.

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"It's not like I use it as an icebreaker or anything," he says.

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