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

More Italian-style dishes include linguine carbonara, pasta primavera, and seafood ravioli. —Jenna Thompson june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026

This is why combining high-carb foods, such as rice, pasta, and potatoes, is a useful strategy for those looking to improve their short- and long-term blood sugar control. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 June 2026

Reserve the cooking water for the pasta. —Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

Cirikovic makes everything from scratch, even the pastas (including ricotta gnocchi), and the soups that rotate, including Italian wedding, Pasta e fagioli, tomato bisque, lobster bisque, chicken and vegetables. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 15 June 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