Cegléd is a city in Pest county, Hungary, approximately 70 km (43 mi) southeast of the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

There are discussions going on about the origin of the name of the town. One version says that the name has its origins in the word "szeglet" (meaning "corner") because of its being a junction point of many important routes, while another one argues that the name is originated from a proper name, i. e. from the name of a man called "Cegléd" or close to it. Nevertheless, the most possible explanation may be the one according to which the name of the town takes its origins from the word "cigle", which was the ancient name of a rivercoast willow.

Its area has been inhabited since the Copper Age. It was first mentioned in 1290 in a decree by Ladislaus IV of Hungary. The town prospered under the Árpád dynasty until the 13th century Mongol invasion of Hungary left it in ruins.

It was reinhabitated later, and on May 8, 1364 Louis I of Hungary relieved the town from paying customs. The king gave the town to his queen, Elisabeth, who ceded it to the Clarissa-sisters.