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

This diner offers classic breakfast fare like pancakes, French toast, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025

Ten girls gathered at Ella’s house at 9:30 a.m. on prom day for bagels, cream cheese and happy chatter. —Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2025

Best Restaurants Bridge Street Cafe Start your morning at Bridge Street Cafe, where locals love the bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and tasty lattes. —Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025

Smoothies, bagels, toast, sides and sauces complete the menu. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 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