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

Vang added MochiUnni will feature 25 variety of breads and pastries with flavors such as red bean and purple yam bread, zucchini muffins and coconut cream bead. —Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The café is his latest venture and will offer a full breakfast and lunch menu, plus cookies, croissants and other pastries. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026

Ease into the day at the charming French-Vietnamese Elizabeth Street Café, which greets the dawn with coffee and pastries, before evolving its menu as the day passes, with pho and banh mi tempting the casual crowd. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

In many restaurants, Nurdjaja explains, these offerings are an easy solution for dessert items even as the industry is hiring fewer and fewer dedicated pastry chefs. —Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026

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