ICEBREAKER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does icebreaker mean? 

• ICEBREAKER (noun)
  The noun ICEBREAKER has 2 senses:

1. a ship with a reinforced bow to break up ice and keep channels open for navigation

2. a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere

  Familiarity information: ICEBREAKER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ICEBREAKER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A ship with a reinforced bow to break up ice and keep channels open for navigation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

iceboat; icebreaker

Hypernyms ("icebreaker" is a kind of...):

ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he told jokes as an icebreaker

Hypernyms ("icebreaker" is a kind of...):

beginning; commencement; start (the act of starting something)