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

Among the primi to try—strangolapreti and menudoli pastas, barley risottos and polenta with mushrooms. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

When the pasta is about 4 minutes from being al dente, drop in 8 oz. —Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026

Each serving can have up to 6 grams of insoluble fiber (double that of regular wheat pasta). —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Unopened pasta can last up to two years, and about a year once opened, according to Delish. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 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