iceberg

noun

ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg How to pronounce iceberg (audio)
Synonyms of icebergnext
1
: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier
2
: an emotionally cold person
3
: iceberg lettuce

Synonyms of iceberg

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Examples of iceberg in a Sentence

a brilliant doctor, no doubt, but both patients and staff complain that he is an iceberg
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Titanic sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean on April 14, 1912, after hitting an iceberg, taking with it approximately 1,500 passengers and crew members. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 On a molecular level As an example of the distinction between energy and temperature, compare a cup of hot tea and an iceberg. — Matthew Koss, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 Soon, icebergs were drifting past the ship and the scale of the landscape became increasingly difficult to comprehend. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Like a spider, the Ice Dart can land on and latch onto steep, slippery surfaces such as icebergs and glaciers—an increasingly useful capability as activity in the Arctic increases. — Tim Hornyak, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for iceberg

Word History

Etymology

probably partial translation of Danish or Norwegian isberg, from is ice + berg mountain

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of iceberg was in 1784

Phrases Containing iceberg

Browse Nearby Words

ice belt
iceberg
iceberg lettuce
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Cite this Entry

“Iceberg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iceberg. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

iceberg

noun
ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg How to pronounce iceberg (audio)
: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier

More from Merriam-Webster on iceberg

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about iceberg

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