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

Operators had asked for a new menu item, and early tests of the pasta proved popular with customers and staff, CEO Jerry Morgan said. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Helpful Hints Any type of short cut pasta such as penne can be used. — Linda Gassenheimer, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Though Pasta was not a traditional Italian restaurant, offering only a couple of appetizers and desserts and pasta dishes, the glut was obvious. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026

The sort of person who keeps anchovies in the pantry for an impulsive midnight pasta. — Tyler Watamanuk, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 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