pasta

noun

pas·​ta ˈpä-stə How to pronounce pasta (audio)
also
ˈpa- How to pronounce pasta (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for pasta

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Late Latin

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pasta was in 1827

Phrases Containing pasta

Rhymes for pasta

See All Rhymes for pasta

Browse Nearby Words

pasta
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Cite this Entry

“Pasta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasta. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pasta

noun
pas·​ta ˈpäs-tə How to pronounce pasta (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pasta

Nglish: Translation of pasta for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pasta

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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