do·nut
less common spelling of doughnut
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
Philip Roth
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
Philip RothExamples of donut in a Sentence
Noun (2)
drawing doughnuts in the sand
Recent Examples on the Web
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Locations will offer one free Original Glazed donut to any customers wearing red, white and blue, a company spokesperson told CharlotteFive.
—
Kimberly Tutuska,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Kimberly Tutuska,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
In medical settings even a small gift from a drug company — like a box of doughnuts — can lead doctors to prescribe its brands more often.
—
Maddie Stone,
ProPublica,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for donut
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Noun
Police said vehicles were doing donuts and speed contests, while several motorcycles were also seen being driven recklessly in the area.
—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Locations will offer one free Original Glazed donut to any customers wearing red, white and blue, a company spokesperson told CharlotteFive.
—
Kimberly Tutuska,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Noun
Krispy Kreme is rolling out two new doughnuts as part of its Summer Seasonal Collection.
—
Kimberly Tutuska,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
In medical settings even a small gift from a drug company — like a box of doughnuts — can lead doctors to prescribe its brands more often.
—
Maddie Stone,
ProPublica,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for donut
Cite this Entry
“Donut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donut. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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