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

Mornings can start with a bagel and coffee before a walk through Central Park while the city still feels calm. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Up on the fifth floor, Cafe 5 serves light California fare, such as flatbreads, salads, and bagel sandwiches. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

The next morning, Saturday, July 4, the sisters debriefed over breakfast bagels while watching ships sail up the Hudson River to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

For a hearty sit-down breakfast, try the bagel sandwiches, Chili Hash, or Fried Chicken and Waffles at Penn’s Grill. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

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

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bagel

noun

ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl 

: a firm doughnut-shaped roll