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

The soups are incredible, the variety of pastas is awesome, and the entrées are varied and filling. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Step 3 Add pasta to sauce and cook, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid ¼ cup at a time if needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

Cereal, pasta, dairy and cleaning supplies are the categories where the math gets interesting. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Pantry staples like flour, sugar, rice and pasta are easy wins because the differences may be less noticeable in everyday meals. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 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