bagel

noun

ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl How to pronounce bagel (audio)
plural bagels
1
: a firm doughnut-shaped roll traditionally made by boiling and then baking
2
[from the resemblance of a bagel to the zero in the score of such a set] tennis, slang : a set (see set entry 2 sense 15) in which one player or team wins every game
They were never in danger of losing, taking a 5-1 lead in the first set and registering a bagel in the second.—Mike McGovern

Examples of bagel in a Sentence

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 cookie shops have a rotating menu of cookies with elaborate toppings, sometimes offering bizarre flavors such as everything bagel. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Since its opening in 2024, the bakery has become well-known for its savory bagel sandwiches. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The same report cites a shopper who ran a blind taste test of Aldi’s L’oven bagels against Thomas’ bagels and preferred the Aldi version. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 In addition to afternoon tea, there are New York diner classics and signature cocktails, including the lox bagel, classic hot dog, pastrami club sandwich, warm cookies and ice cream, New York cheesecake and a Coke float. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bagel

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish beygl, from Middle High German *böugel ring, from bouc ring, from Old High German; akin to Old English bēag ring, būgan to bend — more at bow

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bagel was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Bagehot
bagel
bag filter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bagel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagel. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bagel

noun
ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl How to pronounce bagel (audio)
: a firm doughnut-shaped roll

More from Merriam-Webster on bagel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bagel

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