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

Martinis would segue to meals of earthy, saucy pastas. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Recipes range from brownies and pies to fresh pasta and garlic knots. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

At Taste Buds Kitchen, the 5-day summer camp runs 3 hours each morning and rotates through recipes including brownies, pies, pasta and garlic knots. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026

Each bite is filled with crunchy texture from peppers, tender chew from pasta, and a subtle build of heat from a spicy ranch vinaigrette that is zesty but manages to complement the sweet notes of the fresh veggies. —Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 22 June 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