icebreaker

noun

ice·break·er | \ˈīs-ˌbrā-kər

Definition of icebreaker

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 Soviet Union’s first surface ship was an icebreaker. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China Is Planning a Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker," 25 June 2018 An icebreaker powered by nuclear energy would give Beijing access to the Arctic and its resources. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China Is Planning a Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker," 25 June 2018 American icebreaker capability has been declining as other countries rev up. — Adam Aton, Scientific American, "U.S. Still Lags Behind in Preparing for a Changing Arctic," 8 June 2018 The icebreaker was in the planning stages for three years and now will take an additional three years to build. — Rosemary Mcclure, latimes.com, "Six more Ponant ships to be launched, all equipped with underwater lounges," 26 Mar. 2018 According to the World Nuclear Association, about 140 ships — mostly submarines, but also icebreakers and aircraft carriers – prowl the world's oceans. — Author: Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Anchorage Daily News, "Russia says its sea-based nuclear power plant is safe. Critics call it a ‘Floating Chernobyl’ for the Arctic.," 2 May 2018 According to the World Nuclear Association, about 140 ships — mostly submarines, but also icebreakers and aircraft carriers — prowl the world's oceans. — Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, "Russia says its sea-based nuclear power plant is safe. Critics call it a ‘Floating Chernobyl.’," 1 May 2018 Dirty Couple Game Awkward name syntax aside, this is a perfect early-relationship game—like an icebreaker for new couples. — Rebecca Reid, Marie Claire, "I Tried 11 Sex Apps to Spice Up My Marriage," 11 July 2018 The United States, Russia and China are racing to put icebreakers into Arctic waters as rising temperatures uncover new shipping routes, resource deposits and fishing areas once covered by sea ice. — Adam Aton, Scientific American, "Ships Threaten Arctic Marine Mammals," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'icebreaker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.