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 Coast Guard, which operates icebreakers, has 12 of the ships, but only two are able to operate in the Arctic. —Brad Dress, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025

While at a friend's engagement party in October last year, Carly Hay, 27, and the other guests wore name tags with icebreakers on them to get people talking. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025

This is about, as the polar ice caps pull back, the Chinese are now cranking out icebreakers and pushing up there as well. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025

My friend was so sour about my community icebreakers. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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)