icebreaker
See also: ice-breaker and ice breaker
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Pronunciation
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Noun
icebreaker (plural icebreakers)
- A ship designed to break through ice so that it, or other ships coming behind, can navigate on frozen seas.
- The steel hulls of ice-breakers are much thicker than those of standard vessels.
- 2005, Martin Torgoff, Can't Find My Way Home, Simon & Schuster, published 2005, page 11:
- My father's Bonneville was cutting its way toward us like an icebreaker moving through my whole state of consciousness.
- A game, activity, humorous anecdote, etc., designed to relax a group of people to help them get to know each other.
- The new college hallmates were awkward with each other at first, but after a game of charades as an icebreaker, they were laughing like old friends.
- (theater) A lively song and dance routine at the start of a musical.
- 2014, Maggie Davis, Stage Door Canteen:
- At the moment the curtain went up there had to be a lively ensemble number of principals and chorus singing and dancing, the traditional “icebreaker” that also covered up the noise of late-arriving ticket holders getting to their seats.
Related terms
- (game, activity, humorous anecdote, etc): break the ice
- (ship): slushbreaker
Translations
ship designed to break through ice
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