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

The menu is filled with all kinds of Italian specialties—including pizzas, calzones, and pasta dishes—that will hit the spot after a day of adventuring throughout Interlaken. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

The menu is only two pages but covers a lot of diversified ground, offering burgers, sandwiches, steaks, salad, and pastas. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025

The modern-day Garden of Italy pays homage to its 1930s ancestor with standout handmade pastas and wine served in that quintessentially ritzy yet homey atmosphere. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025

The Reggano Christmas Pasta is filled with colorful pasta shapes in the form of holly leaves, presents, shooting stars, candles, and trees. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025

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