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

The festivities kicked off with an icebreaker on behalf of Brandice Daniel, founder of HFR. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Apr. 2025

The fast pace and life-or-death nature of the ER means there’s not much time for icebreakers for the new faces on staff. —Sarah Kurchak, Time, 11 Apr. 2025

So all of Jimmy’s knife-removal and rose-and-thorn icebreaker prep (that dog bite gave him ringworm, woof) is for naught. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 16 May 2025

Martial Trezzini | Via Reuters The stakes are high for the U.S. and China’s icebreaker trade talks this weekend as the outcome could reset the future of economic relations between the world’s two largest economies. —Anniek Bao,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for icebreaker

• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker

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)