pretzel

noun

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl 

: a brittle or chewy glazed usually salted slender bread often shaped like a loose knot

Examples of pretzel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dip strawberries and pretzels in the chocolate fondue or chips and bread in the cheese. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025

More Americans are cutting back on snacks like chips, pretzels and cookies — but not for health reasons. —Andrew Torgan, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025

Finger food including burgers, sandwiches, pizza, corn dogs, nachos and pretzels costs between $6.50 and $9 at the theater concessions. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025

It was sold in Woodstock Farms branded packages that are red at the bottom and cream and yellow at the top, with a small, transparent section where the pretzels are visible. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Brezel, ultimately from Latin brachiatus having branches like arms, from brachium arm — more at brace entry 2

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pretzel

• quetzal

Kids Definition

pretzel

noun

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl 

: a brown cracker that is salted and usually hard and shaped like a loose knot

Etymology

from German Brezel "pretzel," derived from Latin brachiatus (adjective) "having branches like arms," from brachium, "arm" — related to brace entry 2

Word Origin

Pretzels were probably first made in the U.S. during the 19th century by immigrants from Germany. The English word pretzel comes from the German Brezel. The familiar knot-shaped pretzel has been known in Germanic countries for centuries. Its German name comes from the Latin brachiatus, which means "having branches like arms." The pretzel likely got its name because its knot shape looks something like a pair of folded arms.