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

That means no large pasta pot to clean, only one skillet. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025

Try the nori butter mussels and handmade pasta at Darlings. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

Inside the venue, Parmigiano Reggiano-forward dishes will pop up at a range of spaces, including the Commissioner’s Club, Green Room and Coaches Club where the Jets will offer antipasto stations featuring the cheese and tossed pasta stations highlighted by Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Last year former goaltender and current Panthers special advisor Roberto Luongo ate pasta from it at Heritage Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, while this year the Cup made its way to spots like Jaxson’s Ice Cream in Dania Beach. —Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 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