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

Customers can expect the brand’s signature hot, whole bagels and rotating menu of cream cheese flavors. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026

Bring out the premade everything bagel seasoning dip, or make your own. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 29 June 2026

Air fryers use convection heating to circulate hot air, ensuring even browning without drying out the bagel. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 28 June 2026

The Utopia Bagels peri-peri collaboration bagel will be available from Saturday, July 4 to Saturday, July 11, according to the release. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 25 June 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