pasta

noun

pas·​ta ˈpä-stə 

also

ˈpa- 

1

: paste in processed form (such as macaroni) or in the form of fresh dough (such as ravioli)

2

: a dish of cooked pasta

Examples of pasta in a Sentence

They ordered pasta with meat sauce.

Breads and pastas are high in carbohydrates.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there is the cacio e pepe gnocchi appetizer, potato pasta tossed in black pepper and pecorino Romano sauce; Chenzo pizza, red sauce, garlic, ricotta, meatballs and fresh basil and the atlas pizza, andouille sausage, gorgonzola, pickled onion, arugula and hot honey. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026

Yes, those troublesome splatter marks from salad dressings, pasta sauces, marinades and burgers are particularly stubborn. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Unlike bar counters, which usually just display sandwiches and pastries, a tavola calda serves a variety of hot dishes, including pasta, rice, meat, fish, and vegetables. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026

Replace bread and pasta made with refined white flour with whole-grain alternatives. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Late Latin

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pasta

• angel-hair pasta
• pasta cooker

Rhymes for pasta

• jocasta

Kids Definition

pasta

noun

pas·​ta ˈpäs-tə 

1

: a dough of flour, eggs, and water made in different shapes and dried (as spaghetti or macaroni) or used fresh (as ravioli)

2

: a dish of cooked pasta