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.
In her carousel, Larter included other photos featuring a plate of pasta with a glass of wine, a sunset and a selfie in which she was seen wearing a red top with a diamond necklace and a headset. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Participating restaurants offer their signature sauces for tasting—pasta included—and attendees vote for their favorite. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026 Jarred marinara and pasta sauce can also be worth buying generic brands. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026 George’s serves a widely ranging menu of pasta, pizza, paninis and classic Italian fare. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 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

past
pasta
past absolute
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Cite this Entry

“Pasta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasta. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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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