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 callediceboat 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

Mr Butlin assigned a worker to get guests involved in games with icebreakers and jokes.

From BBC

The order is Carter’s opening gambit — in the judge’s words, an “icebreaker” to cut through bureaucratic malaise — toward an ambitious goal.

From Los Angeles Times

“Where we are now, the only help we could get would be from the few Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers that are patrolling the whole Canadian Arctic.”

From BBC

He goes over the night’s itinerary before suggesting that the crowd form small groups for an icebreaker.

From Los Angeles Times

Soccer, one of the few things he brought with him from the camp, proved to be the icebreaker.

From Los Angeles Times