ice-breaker noun. ['ʌɪsbreɪkǝ] E19.
[from ICE noun + BREAKER noun¹.]
1. A thing which breaks up moving ice so as to diminish its impact; spec. a structure protecting the upstream end of a bridge-pier. E19.

2. A ship specially built or adapted for breaking a channel through ice. L19.

3. fig. Something that breaks the ice on a social occasion etc. L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

an ice breaker
break the ice to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲