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

The day kicks off with live German music from Alpen Musikanten and a menu stacked with bratwursts, smoked meats and pretzels courtesy of Outpost 36 BBQ. —Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

Expect items such as a beer brat, giant Bavarian pretzel, Horace’s Nashville Hot Chicken Wings and more, plus wine by the glass. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025

Perfect for brisk fall days, these soups can be enjoyed straight from the can or elevated—pair them with a soft pretzel, serve in a bread bowl or load them onto nachos and hot dogs for the ultimate game-day upgrade. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Besides the ubiquitous beer, there’s bratwurst, turkey legs, sausage, sauerkraut, pretzels and more. —Laura Daily, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 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.