pumpernickel

noun

pum·​per·​nick·​el ˈpəm-pər-ˌni-kəl 

: a dark coarse sourdough bread made of unbolted rye flour

Examples of pumpernickel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This two-time silver medalist at the Great American Beer Festival (2017 and 2023) smacks of cocoa, dark plums and pumpernickel. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

This is less troubling than the green, because a black bagel is only a few shades removed from pumpernickel, whereas a green bagel is a few shades removed from the ooze that gives adolescent turtles sentience. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 14 June 2024

Healthier options include whole wheat, sourdough, spelt, rye, and pumpernickel. —Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024

Generous, soft, beautifully enticing cloudy light aromas of cherries, pumpernickel bread, black currants, black berries and a country lane in spring. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from pumpern to break wind + Nickel goblin; from its reputed indigestibility

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pumpernickel

• fickle
• mickle
• nickel
• nickle
• nicol
• pickle
• prickle
• sickle
• tickle
• trickle
• ventricle

Kids Definition

pumpernickel

noun

pum·​per·​nick·​el ˈpəm-pər-ˌnik-əl 

: a dark coarse somewhat sour rye bread