icebreaker

[ahys-brey-ker] /ˈaɪsˌbreɪ kər/

noun

Nautical. a ship specially built for breaking navigable passages through ice.

an opening remark, action, etc., designed to ease tension or relieve formality:

A mild joke can be a good icebreaker.

a tool or machine for chopping ice into small pieces.

Origin

1810-20, Americanism; ice + breaker¹

Examples from the web for icebreaker

Her winningly chipmunk-cheeked smile is doled out sparingly, a privilege to be earned, rather than an icebreaker or an entreaty.

British Dictionary definitions for icebreaker

/ˈaɪsˌbreɪkə/

noun

Also called iceboat. a vessel with a reinforced bow for breaking up the ice in bodies of water to keep channels open for navigation

any tool or device for breaking ice into smaller pieces

something intended to relieve mutual shyness at a gathering of strangers

icebreaker in Technology

security, jargon
A program designed for cracking security on a system.
See also: ICE.
[Jargon File]
(2000-03-18)