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

Example Sentences

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

At the beginning of the semester, Satzewich asks students to write a brief icebreaker post as a way to introduce themselves to him and others in their discussion groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Many are now looking to enhance their icebreaker fleet.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

My eyes were riveted to it, and to me it was like a battering-ram or the bows of an icebreaker or maybe a couple of high-explosive bombs.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl