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

This pot is deep, so there’s plenty of room for pot roasts, dips, soups, pastas and casseroles. —Lauryn Jiles, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025

The Montana-sourced, modern Alpine-American menu includes massive chicken schnitzel, hearty potato cakes, fresh salads, handmade pasta, and yes, beer served out of a boot, all with 360-degree views of the mountain. —Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025

Soon, Stan was busy boiling a large saucepan of water for the pasta. —Colm Tóibín, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025

This pasta is creamy and garlic forward in flavor because of the cheese. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

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