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
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
The cake became an instant icebreaker, sparking laughter, conversation, and plenty of selfies.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 July 2025
Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot The world’s only Polar Class 2 passenger ship is not only the most luxurious icebreakers but also one of the most eco-friendly ships afloat.
—AFAR Media, 3 July 2025
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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
The cake became an instant icebreaker, sparking laughter, conversation, and plenty of selfies.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 July 2025
Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot The world’s only Polar Class 2 passenger ship is not only the most luxurious icebreakers but also one of the most eco-friendly ships afloat.
—AFAR Media, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for icebreaker
Cite this Entry
“Icebreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icebreaker. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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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