A bagel is a round bread roll with a hole in the middle, giving it a distinctive ring shape. What makes bagels special is how they're made: bakers boil the dough briefly in water before baking it, which creates their characteristic chewy texture and shiny crust. This is completely different from regular bread, which goes straight into the oven.

Bagels originated in Jewish communities in Poland centuries ago and became incredibly popular in New York City, where Jewish immigrants opened bagel bakeries in the early 1900s. Today, you can find bagels everywhere, from corner delis to grocery stores. People typically slice them in half horizontally and toast them, then spread them with cream cheese, butter, or other toppings. A bagel with lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese is a classic combination.

The word can also describe the shape itself. In tennis, a bagel means winning a set 6-0, because the zero looks like a bagel's round shape. Some people jokingly call other round objects with holes, like certain life preservers, bagels because of their similar appearance.