dough·nut \ˈdō(ˌ)nət, usu -əd.+V\noun (-s) 1.: a small cake fried in deep fat: a.: one typically ring-shaped made of rich dough leavened usually with baking powder b.: one shaped like a ring or a ball and made of yeast-leavened dough — called also raised doughnut 2.: something resembling a doughnut especially in shape