iceberg

noun

ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg 

1

: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier

2

: an emotionally cold person

3

: iceberg lettuce

Synonyms of iceberg

• clam
• icicle
• stick

Examples of iceberg in a Sentence

a brilliant doctor, no doubt, but both patients and staff complain that he is an iceberg

Recent Examples on the Web

But just four days into the trip, on the night of April 14, the Titanic hit an iceberg, causing the massive ocean liner to sink to the bottom of the ocean by early the next morning. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Many of the shots of Calvin (Hartnett) harvesting icebergs were actual footage from these massive blocks of ice naturally floating along. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

There’s no iceberg salad here; sides include mac salad and marinated cucumbers, dishes standard to plate lunch, Hawaii’s answer to the meat-and-three. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Antarctic cruises take travelers past towering icebergs, penguins, and seals, with opportunities to explore by small boat. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably partial translation of Danish or Norwegian isberg, from is ice + berg mountain

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing iceberg

• iceberg lettuce
• the tip of the iceberg
• tip of the iceberg

Kids Definition

iceberg

noun

ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg 

: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier