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

It’s been six years since Olive Garden last offered its Pasta Pass, but the unlimited pasta, soup or salad and breadstick pass is returning. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026

The first 10,000 customers who enter the Pasta Pass website on July 16 and pay $100, plus tax, can secure their ticket to unlimited pasta. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Such qualities make black olives popular on pizzas, salads and pasta dishes, while the bolder flavor of green olives lends itself well to appetizers, charcuterie boards, tapenades and Mediterranean dishes. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Eating and drinking A welcome hamper of essentials – artisanal pasta, charcuterie and staples like olive oil and balsamic vinegar – stocks the kitchen with, of course, tea and coffee. — Nick Hendry, TheWeek, 10 July 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