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

Use it to serve meatballs, sauces, pastas, stews, and soups directly to the table. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025

Anything but virtuous is the green chili mac ($14), a decadent bowl of creamy short pasta tossed with mild chilis that deliver all the flavor of the peppers and nearly none of the heat. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Nov. 2025

Sit back, relax, and let your slow cooker create this super simple, quick-fix pasta dish. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025

For example, many grocery stores now stock gluten-free pasta and bread. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2025

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