icebreaker

noun

ice·​break·​er ˈīs-ˌbrā-kər 

1

: a ship equipped (as with a reinforced bow) to make and maintain a channel through ice

2

: something that is done or said to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion

Roughly half of all Americans are invested in the market these days, and stock holdings have replaced politics, weather and sports as the go-to conversational icebreaker.

—Adam Bryant

… she also pays particular attention to icebreakers that relax guests and get them rubbing elbows, such as a cruise up the Colorado River, where guests nibble on hors d'oeuvres and sip Fall Creek wines.

—Steve Heimoff

see also break the ice at break entry 1

Examples of icebreaker in a Sentence

using an old joke as a conversational icebreaker

Recent Examples on the Web

Create 5 engaging icebreaker questions that inspire big thinking and relate to our work. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

So our icebreaker for the show or within the show will be a hypothetical. —Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024

Tennis icon Naomi Osaka plays an icebreaker game at a recent event for her Play Academy initiative, which aims to increase the participation of girls in sports. —Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024

And this obviously is for social icebreaker situations. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

icebreaker

noun

ice·​break·​er -ˌbrā-kər 

1

: a ship equipped to make and keep open a channel through ice

2

: something (as a joke or game) that makes one feel more at ease and less reserved (as at a party or meeting)