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

Zuniga, owner of Dulce Dreams Café, will sell traditional Mexican pastries called conchas and other sweet treats from her van, fittingly called La Conchis. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025

Places to Eat Peninsula Coffee House The Peninsula Coffee House is part java shop, part wine bar, with multiple floors of seating and light bites, including pastries and breakfast sandwiches, to fuel you up for a day on the trails. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

As for the food, De Souza largely focuses on the savory dishes, with Younggreen handling pastry and operations. —Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025

Customers who enjoy the popular flaky pastry are in luck. —Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 4 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