pretzel

noun

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl How to pronounce pretzel (audio)
: 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 Be sure to check out the rest of SELF's 2024 Pantry Award winners: Find delightful sauces, spreads, oils, and condiments here, and the most snackable chips, crackers, bars, pretzels, and popcorn here. Grace McCarty, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024 This year, host Jimmy Kimmel gifted guests snack boxes containing a soft pretzel and mustard, a bottle of water, and a box of candy, which varied from Mike and Ikes to Milk Duds. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 From chips to pretzels to candy to jerky, snack options are endless, all with different features for the varying taste buds of consumers. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The pub in Bellaire is known for its pizzas and pretzels with dough made from scratch daily and includes a by-product from the brewing process. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2024 Arrange pretzels 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2024 Customers can still digitally order the the soft pretzel and churro. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 This weekend, look for $6 beers in two craft beer gardens, a beer brunch, live music, and, most importantly, soft pretzels. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Windsor sophomore Evan Perez, Mead senior Dalton Berg and Roosevelt senior Bronco Hartson, all with a chance to win gold, form a powerful, muscular trio that’s saltier than a Bavarian pretzel. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pretzel.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pretzel was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near pretzel

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

pretzel

noun
pret·​zel ˈpret-səl How to pronounce pretzel (audio)
: 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.

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