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

Congress dragged its feet for years on funding icebreaker construction. —Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 23 Jan. 2025

The congressman, whose district includes the Coast Guard Academy, pushed back on DHS’ assessment of Fagan’s tenure and cited her work on surpassing the service’s 2024 recruitment goal and working on production of new icebreaker vessels. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025

Cruise ships have historically avoided the St. Lawrence River once winter rolls around, but Ponant previously announced its Le Commandant Charcot icebreaker would start sailings there this season. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

Russia has been particularly active in the Arctic, revamping Cold War-era military installations, building new icebreakers, and extending its claims over parts of the Arctic seabed. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

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)