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

This gives everyone on the Green Team eight ingredients to choose from (shiso, ginger, eggplant, lamb, scallops, chile crisp, nectarines, and panko bread crumbs) and the Purple Team four (fennel, toro, pretzels, curry). —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

The Sidekick menu also includes 12-inch versions of chocolate chip cookies, a Cinnabon churro and a soft pretzel from Auntie Anne’s. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025

During the early March drop, the only new spring menu item was the ham and Swiss pretzel sliders. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Vegetarian options: About a quarter of the menu, including a soft pretzel, a falafel sandwich and a golden beet-pomegranate-goat cheese salad. —Benjy Egel, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 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.