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rigatoni

American  
[rig-uh-toh-nee] / ˌrɪg əˈtoʊ ni /

noun

  1. a tubular pasta in short, ribbed pieces.

rigatoni British  
/ ˌrɪɡəˈtəʊnɪ /

noun

  1. macaroni in the form of short ridged often slightly curved pieces

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rigatoni

1925–30; < Italian (noun plural), equivalent to rigat ( o ) furrowed, lined, striped (past participle of rigare, derivative of riga a line < Langobardic *rīga ) + -oni plural augmentative suffix

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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.

Varieties range from classic durum-wheat spaghetti to heart-shaped rigatoni and whole-wheat striped bow ties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

It’s then seasoned with sage, nutmeg, and thyme — classic fall flavors — and poured on top of mezzi rigatoni pasta.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2025

Saturday’s menu includes focaccia with whipped ricotta, mortadella with shaved parmigiana, fregola sarda alle vongole, rigatoni amatriciana, and boneless chicken with caper, anchovy and parsley sauce.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2023

Judge Sheindlin took a bite of rigatoni Bolognese, and this reporter tried again: Why was her son Adam the best possible option for the third “Tribunal Justice” adjudicator?

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2023

I spin around and get busy opening three boxes of rigatoni and cheese.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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.