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
China and Russia recently incorporated interests in Antarctica into their national security strategies, and China has invested in an icebreaker fleet and the construction of satellite ground stations on the continent that could be repurposed for military applications.
—Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
China is facilitating this by strengthening cooperation with Russia on research and commercial activities, as well as by increasing China's national icebreaker capacity.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Under her leadership, there were also persistent delays and cost overruns in acquiring essential platforms, including icebreakers and helicopters, that the official said undermined Coast Guard capabilities in the Arctic and other strategic regions.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025
In certain professional circles — like, say, those of yoga instructors and doulas — this type of icebreaker might be welcomed.
—Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icebreaker
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Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
China is facilitating this by strengthening cooperation with Russia on research and commercial activities, as well as by increasing China's national icebreaker capacity.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Under her leadership, there were also persistent delays and cost overruns in acquiring essential platforms, including icebreakers and helicopters, that the official said undermined Coast Guard capabilities in the Arctic and other strategic regions.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025
In certain professional circles — like, say, those of yoga instructors and doulas — this type of icebreaker might be welcomed.
—Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 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 13 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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