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

But sidle up to the bar, eerily silent until the restaurant quickly fills with chatter, and order a stiff drink before settling into a table and digging into heaping plates of pasta, milanesa, and a Caesar salad that always hits the spot. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026

Pruner’s concept is to open a neighborhood Italian spot, featuring fresh and extruded pastas, pizza, sandwiches and more, all through a California lens. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Down in Sicily, pasta a la Norma. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026

Il Mulino is known for its refined hospitality, elevated atmosphere, and homemade pastas. —Katie Riley, Southern Living, 8 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