lox

¹ American  

[loks] / lɒks /

noun

1. a kind of brine-cured salmon, having either a salt cure Scandinavian lox or a sugar cure Nova Scotia lox, often eaten with cream cheese on a bagel.

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lox ² American  

[loks] / lɒks /

Or LOX

noun

1. liquid oxygen.

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lox ¹ British  

/ lɒks /

noun

1. a kind of smoked salmon

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lox ² British  

/ lɒks /

noun

1. short for liquid oxygen, esp when used as an oxidizer for rocket fuels

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Etymology

Origin of lox¹

First recorded in 1940–45; from Yiddish laks “salmon”; compare Middle High German, Old High German lahs, cognate with Old English leax, Old Norse lax; gravlax ( def. )

Origin of lox²

First recorded in 1920–25; l(iquid) ox(ygen)

Example Sentences

He invoked what he loved about growing up in the city, the languages, foods, and neighborhoods, the fact that he, a Muslim, can have bagel and lox as one of his weekly rituals.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

The result is an oversize, floppy version of a classic bagel with lox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Whether they’re topping them with butter or going all-in with lox, this gift is bound to delight bagel aficionados everywhere.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

Fairfax coach Juan Solorio ought to greet his visitors with Canters danish, a sandwich platter or bagels and lox.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023

The day they met, Rossolimo was sitting on a sofa, eating a bagel with lox and cream cheese, and he spoke to Bobby with his mouth full.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady