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

Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente. —Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025

The company initiated the recall after genetic testing found a strain of listeria bacteria in prepared chicken fettuccine and meatball pasta products that matched a strain of bacteria that has been implicated in an ongoing listeria outbreak since August 2024. —Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

The inspector dropped Stop Sales on all that pasta. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

Across town, a waiter in a crisp white jacket at Osteria Serafina is tossing bigoli pasta in a giant pecorino wheel, old style, eliciting the same reaction. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 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