doughnut

noun

dough·​nut ˈdō-(ˌ)nət 

variants or less commonly donut

1

: a small usually ring-shaped piece of sweet fried dough

2

: something (such as a mathematical torus) that has a round shape like a doughnut

3

: a controlled skid that sends an automobile into a tight circle of at least 360 degrees

—usually used in the phrase do doughnuts

Doing doughnuts? You haven't heard about this? This is what they steal the cars for. Top speed, they slam on the brakes, yank the emergency brake, twist the steering wheel, and the car starts spinning. Wheeling the car in circles at tremendous speeds.

—Philip Roth

doughnutlike

ˈdō-(ˌ)nət-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of doughnut in a Sentence

drawing doughnuts in the sand

Recent Examples on the Web

Southern doughnut brand Krispy Kreme is kicking off all things chocolate with their beloved Chocomania Collection, back by popular demand. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026

According to that report, ICE and Border Patrol agents were attempting to arrest an undocumented criminal, while protesters gathered outside a nearby doughnut shop as part of a broader effort to interfere with the operation. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026

Up until now, Slow Rise has been a doughnut business that’s only offered its treats at farmers markets and popup events. —Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026

The conchas and doughnuts arrive fresh from the oven every few minutes. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dough + nut entry 1 (in sense "rounded cake or biscuit," as in ginger nut, spice nut)

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for doughnut

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut
• recut

Kids Definition

doughnut

noun

dough·​nut

variants also donut

-(ˌ)nət

1

: a small ring of sweet dough fried in fat

2

: something resembling a doughnut especially in shape