: 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
Best of all, the traditional German sausages, pretzels and Oktoberfest beers are top-tier delicious.
—
Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
There are pretzels, bratwursts and other Bavarian bites, and to wash it down, ice-cold beer or root beer.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Our collection includes meatballs, pretzels, and even dumplings, all of which feature ingredients or swaps that are better for you.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
On the menu are apple strudel, Bier Brat Sliders, a Bavarian pork chop and jumbo Bavarian pretzels, which are available year-round.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretzel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
There are pretzels, bratwursts and other Bavarian bites, and to wash it down, ice-cold beer or root beer.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Our collection includes meatballs, pretzels, and even dumplings, all of which feature ingredients or swaps that are better for you.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
On the menu are apple strudel, Bier Brat Sliders, a Bavarian pork chop and jumbo Bavarian pretzels, which are available year-round.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretzel
Cite this Entry
“Pretzel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretzel. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share