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

BrewDog Denver, 3950 Wynkoop St., opens at noon Friday, April 19, in a 10,000-square-foot space with two patios, a 3.5-barrel brewing system, games and a full menu featuring burgers, giant pub pretzels, salads and wings. —Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024

A couple of sandwiches, sliders, soft pretzels and nachos will round out the food menu. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024

One employer owned an Auntie Anne’s and a Cinnabon and believed selling pretzels and cinnamon rolls qualified them for the controversial bakery exemption. —Calmatters, Orange County Register, 29 Mar. 2024

With pretzel bites, jalapeño poppers, chicken wings, and pizza cups, these football appetizers will score with your fellow fans. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2024

Auntie Anne's features pretzel snacks including pretzel flavors such as sweet almond, pepperoni pretzel, pretzel dogs and pretzel nuggets. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024

Host Ellen DeGeneres ordered pizza for the audience in 2014, and last year Kimmel made sure there were snack boxes with soft pretzels under every seat. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024

From chips to jerky pretzels to candy, snack options can be endless, all with different features for the varying taste buds of consumers. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Mar. 2024

Meet the Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwich: a boneless chicken breast (fried, grilled, or spicy) served on a warm pretzel bun with lettuce, tomato, soft seasoned cheddar cheese, crispy strips of applewood smoked bacon, and a Creamy Dijon Mustard Sauce on the side. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024

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

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.