pastry

noun

pas·​try ˈpā-strē 

plural pastries

1

a

: a dough that is used to make pies and other baked goods and typically has a high fat content : paste sense 1a

b

: usually sweet baked goods made of dough having a high fat content

a plate of tempting pastry

see also danish pastry, french pastry

2

: a piece of pastry

I had a pastry and a cup of tea.

Examples of pastry in a Sentence

He worked on the filling while I prepared the pastry.

She had a pastry and coffee for breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ever since Pop-Tarts started sponsoring the college football bowl game in 2023, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has become a viral sensation thanks to the introduction of the Edible Mascot — an anthropomorphic pastry that was lowered into a giant toaster and eaten live by the winning team. —Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025

Enjoy a coffee and pastry in one of the charming cafes, walk along Terrasse Dufferin, and pop into the Musée de la Civilisation at your leisure. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

With its green space and a transportive European museum coffee shop-reminiscent Bar Premio coffee and wine bar on the ground floor serving pastry, it was also quickly embraced as a local favorite. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025

Use lemon or lemon zest to add flavor to soups, grains, or pastries. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 26 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

paste entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pastry

• choux pastry
• Danish pastry
• French pastry
• pastry cream
• puff pastry

Kids Definition

pastry

noun

past·​ry

ˈpā-strē

plural pastries

1

: sweet baked goods (as cakes or tarts) made of dough or having a crust made of enriched dough

2

: a piece of pastry