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

Breakfast Pastries and Bagels Pastries and bagels are made with refined carbohydrates, which are low in fiber and protein. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 2025

One pair for the price of a coffee and bagel at your local cafe? —Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025

Bars, bagels and barbecue from North Texas are contenders for a James Beard award this year. —Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025

In addition to bagels and pastries, Bakery Four serves a variety of breads and rolls, tartines, cruffins, sandwiches, coffee and other treats. —Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 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