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

Days start on level three with a typical hotel breakfast buffet, which includes all manner of pastries, bagels and of course, eggs, and pancake made-to-order stations. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Eat it on a bagel or English muffin or spread it on a slice of cinnamon raisin toast. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

Try half of a whole-grain bagel topped with egg, avocado, or nut butter. — Elizabeth Gall, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2026

The menu features coffee, with beans provided by Daily Grind, tea, hot and cold drinks, and locally made Hosmer Miuntain Soda, along with an assortment of pastries, bagels, and seasonal goodies round out the menu. — Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 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