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

Here’s a recipe for one-pan pasta with tomato sauce. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025

Zoom in: Rounding out his resume, Stone also runs Grand Amari, the Italian restaurant inside the Hotel Grand Stark, where pastas and antipasti are aplenty. —Meira Gebel, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025

Expect comforting dishes like large pasta loops with heritage pork shoulder ragu and wines ranging from acidic Etna Bianco to complex Nebbiolo. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2025

Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions. —Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 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

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