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

Locals have been lining up at this kosher-style spot for bagels, babka, and pastrami on rye since 1953. —Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026

But the bagel has long occupied a more fraught place in the city’s food identity. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Phariss and Holmes were at Love Field that day, sitting at a bagel shop. —William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

What makes the perfect bagel to you? —Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 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