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 That means two bagels yield six slices, which are used to make three sandwiches (math!). Emily Heil, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Toast with peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, or bagels are good options to try, Darby suggested. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Health, 5 Mar. 2024 The shop specializes in steamed bagel sandwiches, including breakfast options. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2024 All pastries cost $6 apiece and bagels are available for $4 each. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2024 For example, stock up on some fun hot sauces to drizzle on your burritos, mix berries into your parfaits, or sprinkle everything bagel spice over your eggs. Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 9 Feb. 2024 Breakfast options include a sausage and egg sandwich, smoked salmon bagel, a Greek yogurt parfait and Giada's oatmeal made with steel cut oats, orange segments, toasted Marcona almonds, extra-virgin olive oil and Maldon sea salt. Keith Lee reviewed a gluten-free brunch spot in Phoenix: 'Crying. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 Co-owning the bagel shop enabled him to boost sales. Gary Stern, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Plus, there are a bunch of colors to choose from, such as red, blue, lilac, green, black, and more. Black+Decker Two-Slice Toaster $30 $25 With extra-wide slots, this toaster can even accommodate bagels and thick pieces of bread. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bagel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bagel was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near bagel

Cite this Entry

“Bagel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagel. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bagel

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

More from Merriam-Webster on bagel

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