ice-breaker

Noun

icebreaker (plural icebreakers)

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. (figuratively) 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.
   • 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.
3. 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.2014, Maggie Davis, Stage Door Canteen