pretzel

noun

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl 

: a brittle or chewy glazed usually salted slender bread often shaped like a loose knot

Examples of pretzel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

German immigrants brought pretzels to colonial Pennsylvania in the early 1700s and the region remains a hotbed of pretzel production. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Tortilla chips or warm soft salty pretzels are my personal go-to, but really there's no limit. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026

Sunday is National Pretzel Day, and in honor of the occasion, Wetzel’s Pretzels location will be giving away free pretzels to all comers on Sunday afternoon. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026

Also a great pairing for soft pretzels. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Brezel, ultimately from Latin brachiatus having branches like arms, from brachium arm — more at brace entry 2

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pretzel

• quetzal

Kids Definition

pretzel

noun

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl 

: a brown cracker that is salted and usually hard and shaped like a loose knot

Etymology

from German Brezel "pretzel," derived from Latin brachiatus (adjective) "having branches like arms," from brachium, "arm" — related to brace entry 2

Word Origin

Pretzels were probably first made in the U.S. during the 19th century by immigrants from Germany. The English word pretzel comes from the German Brezel. The familiar knot-shaped pretzel has been known in Germanic countries for centuries. Its German name comes from the Latin brachiatus, which means "having branches like arms." The pretzel likely got its name because its knot shape looks something like a pair of folded arms.