Icebreaker

//ˈaɪsˌbɹeɪkəɹ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    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."

  2. 2
    a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere wordnet
  3. 3
    A game, activity, humorous anecdote, etc., designed to ease tension and encourage interaction among individuals in a situation where they do not know each other well. figuratively

    "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."

  4. 4
    a ship with a reinforced bow to break up ice and keep channels open for navigation wordnet
  5. 5
    A lively song and dance routine at the start of a musical.

    "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."

Etymology

From ice + breaker, in the figurative sense from the expression to break the ice.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: icebreaker