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
One is a group of scientists looking at screens on an icebreaker with enough fuel to last two years.
—Allegra Rosenberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024
More:Great Lakes economy relies on icebreakers to keep moving.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
In his work, Jason faces the challenge of creating effective icebreakers and engaging activities.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024
The other option is to gift a cruise through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first icebreaker and hybrid-electric polar exploration ship.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for icebreaker 
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Allegra Rosenberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024
More:Great Lakes economy relies on icebreakers to keep moving.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
In his work, Jason faces the challenge of creating effective icebreakers and engaging activities.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024
The other option is to gift a cruise through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first icebreaker and hybrid-electric polar exploration ship.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for icebreaker
Dictionary Entries Near icebreaker
Cite this Entry
“Icebreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icebreaker. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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