pastina
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pastina
First recorded in 1900–05; from Italian: literally, “little pasta,” diminutive of pasta “pasta” + -ina feminine diminutive suffix; see origin at paste ( def. ), -ine 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For the pastina, I cook finely chopped carrots, onions, and celery until soft, then remove and blend about half until silky smooth.
From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2026
This reminded me, in Italian-American culture, of pastina — a grain that has deep, revenant importance throughout both Italy, America and many countries beyond that.
From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2024
Via Twitter, Liz Saraceno wrote that pastina with chicken broth, fresh parsley, salted butter and Parmesan cheese "was a staple if you were home sick" in her household.
From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2023
Fran Cornetta shared on Facebook that pastina was the "transition from liquids to solids" for her and all the bambini in her family.
From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2023
His breakfasts may have been a cardiologist’s nightmare—eggs, sausage, bacon, pastina with a poached egg—but he considered his marinara sauce to be healthy perfection: just garlic, oil, tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
