doughnut

Or do·nut

[doh-nuht, -nuht]

noun

1. a small cake of sweetened or, sometimes, unsweetened dough fried in deep fat, typically shaped like a ring or, when prepared with a filling, a ball.

2. anything shaped like a thick ring; an annular object; toroid.

doughnut

/ ˈdəʊnʌt /

noun

1. a small cake of sweetened dough, often ring-shaped or spherical with a jam or cream filling, cooked in hot fat

2. anything shaped like a ring, such as the reaction vessel of a thermonuclear reactor

verb

1. informal,  (tr) (of Members of Parliament) to surround (a speaker) during the televising of Parliament to give the impression that the chamber is crowded or the speaker is well supported

Word History and Origins

Origin of doughnut¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; dough + nut

Example Sentences

Drivers draw crowds of spectators as they perform stunts such as “doughnuts” — spinning their cars in circles until their tires burn rubber marks on the pavement.

From Los Angeles Times

Bob Timmermann, a retired librarian, used a robot to send doughnuts to his former colleagues at the Los Angeles Central Library.

From Los Angeles Times

The actor and director’s perfect Sunday includes hot chocolate, doughnuts, a dog walk at Dockweiler Beach, brunch in Venice or Culver City and some time to paint before bed.

From Los Angeles Times

Teasdale, who once worked as a baker, says their debut was like “when you start a new job and you’ve been told you have to make doughnuts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Workers in the area frequently grab coffee and breakfast at the doughnut shop before heading to work.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bun 
• pastry