# iceberg

/ˈaɪsbɝɡ/ (US) · /ˈaɪsbɜːɡ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/iceberg
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a massive piece of ice that has broken off a glacier and is floating in the ocean. Most of its size is hidden underwater, so you only see a small part of it.

For teachers: a large mass of ice detached from a glacier or ice sheet and floating in open water. Typically, only about one-tenth of the total volume is visible above the surface.

## Examples

- The ship slowed down to avoid a large iceberg.
- The research vessel tracked the massive iceberg as it drifted into warmer southern waters.
- Oceanographers monitored the disintegration of the iceberg, noting how the melting process released trapped nutrients that temporarily boosted the local marine ecosystem's productivity.

## Usage notes

- Often used metaphorically in the phrase 'tip of the iceberg' to describe a small visible part of a much larger problem.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.