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

When Dad came home with every flavor of bagel the bakery sold, their son wasn't interested in eating anything despite lots of coaxing. —Karen Cicero, Parents, 21 Dec. 2025

Known for its delicious bagels and chocolate babkas, Avner’s was a popular meeting place where customers would pull up a stool and chat on the sidewalk. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025

My dad hosted a bagel brunch last week, and sesame seeds ended up everywhere—the kitchen, the dining room, everywhere. —Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2025

Top toast, a bagel, or a banana with nut butter. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 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

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bagel

noun

ba·​gel ˈbā-gəl 

: a firm doughnut-shaped roll