Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Doughnut /dōn'-ŭtˌ/ · Dough·nut · IPA /ˈdoʊ(ˌ)nʌt/ 01 n. A small cake (usually sweetened) fried in a kettle of boiling lard. 1. A small cake (usually sweetened) fried in a kettle of boiling lard.