1.
[syn: icebreaker, iceboat]
2. a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere;
- Example: "he told jokes as an icebreaker"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
icebreaker \icebreaker\ n.
1. a ship with a reinforced bow and powerful engines designed
to break up layers of ice on waterways and keep channels
open for navigation.
Syn: iceboat.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. A remark or action intended to relieve tension or reduce
formality when initiating conversation or beginning a
speech; it is often a humorous or light remark.
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
icebreaker
n 1: a ship with a reinforced bow to break up ice and keep
channels open for navigation [syn: icebreaker, iceboat]
2: a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere; "he
told jokes as an icebreaker"
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
icebreaker
A program designed for cracking security on
a system.
See also: ICE.
[Jargon File]
(2000-03-18)