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
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
Steve HeimoffExamples of icebreaker in a Sentence
using an old joke as a conversational icebreaker
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the inaugural honorees is Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury icebreaker.
—Passport By Forbeslife, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The Elimination Challenge With the icebreaker challenge behind them, the chefs faced their first elimination challenge, and the stakes were immediately raised.
—Buddha Lo, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
With regard to the Chinese icebreaker fleet, the report said in addition to the five ships in service, China is working on developing heavier icebreakers and icebreakers with nuclear propulsion, increasing its ability to map the Arctic for both civilian and military purposes.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Other icebreakers stand by for cargo ships that populate the waterway year-round.
—Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icebreaker
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Passport By Forbeslife, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The Elimination Challenge With the icebreaker challenge behind them, the chefs faced their first elimination challenge, and the stakes were immediately raised.
—Buddha Lo, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
With regard to the Chinese icebreaker fleet, the report said in addition to the five ships in service, China is working on developing heavier icebreakers and icebreakers with nuclear propulsion, increasing its ability to map the Arctic for both civilian and military purposes.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Other icebreakers stand by for cargo ships that populate the waterway year-round.
—Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icebreaker
Cite this Entry
“Icebreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icebreaker. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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