bagel

noun

ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl 

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

One large bagel can provide upward of 320 calories and 14 grams of protein.19 Swap regular bread for a whole-grain bagel to make sandwiches for a post-workout meal. —Kayla Girgen, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025

In episode two, Mishi looked like a child coming back from vacation in New York City, carrying a bagel plushie while wearing all-NYC apparel. —Oliver Sava, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025

Speaking of Pop-ups, even PopUp Bagels were at 5850 fest with lines a mile long for its hot, mega-popular bagels. —Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Breakfast burritos and smoked salmon bagels round out the morning menu and the lunch and dinner menu includes coconut shrimp, crispy empanadas, and a flavorful conch chowder soup. —Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025

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

Kids Definition

bagel

noun

ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl 

: a firm doughnut-shaped roll