baker's dozen

American  

noun

1. a group of 13; a dozen plus one: from the former practice among bakers and other tradespeople of giving 13 items to the dozen as a safeguard against penalties for short weights and measures.

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baker's dozen British  

noun

1. thirteen

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baker's dozen Cultural  

1. Thirteen; bakers once provided an extra roll with every dozen sold.

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baker's dozen Idioms  

1. Thirteen, as in The new bagel store always gives you a baker's dozen. The origins of this term are disputed. One theory is that in times when bread was sold by weight, bakers who short-weighted their customers were heavily fined, and for safety's sake they would sell thirteen loaves for the price of twelve. Another theory is that dealers purchasing bread from bakers were allowed by law to receive thirteen loaves for the price of twelve, the thirteenth representing their cut of profit. [Late 1500s]

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Etymology

Origin of baker's dozen

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

baker's dozen

These unexpected extras—a few perfume samples or a tchotchke tucked into a shopping bag—aren’t lavish but often produce outsize delight, like when an order of 12 bagels becomes a baker’s dozen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

Bagel shops are an easy first stop: most offer catering trays or baker’s dozen boxes.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025

During his lifetime, McMurtry published 33 novels and a baker’s dozen of memoirs, essays and assorted balooey.

From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2023

They’ve already retired the jerseys of 12 players, and with Bryant’s two and Pau Gasol’s No. 16 retired in March, that’s a baker’s dozen of retired numbers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2023

His very own baker’s dozen, he would say, grinning.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi