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

This includes any food with wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt, meaning people steer clear of bread, cake, cereal, pasta, and most alcoholic beverages. —Bailey Allen, Cape Cod Times, 28 Mar. 2026

Choose whole-grain breads, cereals and pastas. —CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Other menu items are chicken pepper rice, hamburger teriyaki, salmon teriyaki, pasta and various curry, seafood and steak dishes. —Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

In Little Italy, Roman Wolves is adding a 50% discount to its cheese wheel pasta on the happy hour menu. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 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