baguette

American  

[ba-get] / bæˈgɛt /

Or baguet

noun

• baguettes
  plural

1. a long, narrow loaf of French bread.

2. Jewelry.

   1. a rectangular shape given to a small gem, especially a diamond, by cutting and polishing.

   2. a gem having this shape.

3. Architecture. a small convex molding, especially one of semicircular section.

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baguette British  

/ bæˈɡɛt /

noun

1. a narrow French stick loaf

2. a small gem cut as a long rectangle

3. the shape of such a gem

4. architect a small moulding having a semicircular cross section

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• baguettes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of baguette

First recorded in 1720–30; from French, from Italian bacchetta “little stick,” equivalent to bacch(io) “stick” (from Latin baculus “stick, walking stick, scepter”) + -etta -ette

Explanation

A baguette is a long, thin loaf of French bread. Your mom might ask you to buy a baguette at the bakery on your way home for dinner. Baguettes are distinctive because of their shape, and if they're baked well, they have a crisp crust and a soft interior. In the 1700s, the word baguette referred only to rod-like architectural details, though by the mid-20th century, it also meant "bread." In French, baguette means "wand, rod, or baton," and it appears in "magic wand," or baguette magique, as well as "chopsticks," baguettes chinoises.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

baguette baguettes

But on Thursday, Philippe-Chatrier Court transformed into a giant baguette oven and Sinner wilted beyond recognition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

The zig-zag of that famous yellow shirt winkingly graces a crescent baguette, while the black stripes of Linus’s red red shirt wrap around a slouchy shoulder bag.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

Bread, especially the baguette, is a staple in French diets but also a major source of salt, traditionally accounting for about 25% of the recommended daily intake.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 31, 2026

Not necessarily a designer one, but a handbag with a strong sense of itself — an acid-green baguette bag, a wicker orb with a padlock, a cheetah-print apothecary satchel.

From Salon ● Dec. 20, 2025

Beside him, a bottle of red wine and a baguette are spread on a checkered cloth.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Around her are patio tables displaying the kind of food the shop carried: pies and cakes, what appear to be stuffed tomatoes, baguettes, sophisticated deli salads, gorgeous hunks of cheese.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

French bakeries sold crusty baguettes and flaky croissants with government backing Friday, defying labour unions arguing that May 1 should remain a sacred day of compulsory rest.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

The pizzas and baguettes on offer are all sourdough-based, made fresh at the shop, with produce from local farmers.

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026

Over the years, he helped answer very important questions, including: Why are most French baguettes underbaked?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

Then he showed them the two baguettes he himself was holding.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• bauble
• bead
• bling
• gem
• gemstone
• ornament
• stone
• trinket