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

Combine comforting pasta with fabulous fajitas for a quick chicken dinner that will get raves. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025

For the baker, there is a wide variety of specialty flours, including pizza, bread, pasta, gluten free oat, gluten free almond and all-purpose flour, in addition to coconut milk powder. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025

Riva, the coastal Italian venue, serves housemade pasta from a counter-side chef station and also handles breakfast. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Add it onto popcorn to increase the fiber count even more, or mix in a dash to creamy pasta sauces and salad dressings for a nutrient-dense umami boost. 7. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 4 Aug. 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