˜yÐÄvlog

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icebreaker

[ ahys-brey-ker ]

noun

  1. Nautical. a ship specially built for breaking navigable passages through ice.
  2. an opening remark, action, etc., designed to ease tension or relieve formality:

    A mild joke can be a good icebreaker.

  3. a tool or machine for chopping ice into small pieces.


icebreaker

/ ˈ²¹Éª²õËŒ²ú°ù±ðɪ°ìÉ™ /

noun

  1. Also callediceboat a vessel with a reinforced bow for breaking up the ice in bodies of water to keep channels open for navigation
  2. any tool or device for breaking ice into smaller pieces
  3. something intended to relieve mutual shyness at a gathering of strangers
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of icebreaker1

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; ice + breaker 1
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Example Sentences

The vice-president said the US did not have immediate plans to expand the American military presence on the ground, but would invest more resources, including naval ships and military icebreakers.

From

"It's not like I use it as an icebreaker or anything," he says.

From

The liberal South Korean president, Moon Jae-in had been hoping for an icebreaker with Pyongyang.

From

Oboronlogistika said the cargo ship, which it described as the flagship of its fleet, was carrying 45-tonne hatch covers for icebreakers, as well as the large cranes for the port in Vladivostok.

From

Mr Butlin assigned a worker to get guests involved in games with icebreakers and jokes.

From

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