vegan

noun

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veg·an | \ ˈvē-gən

also ˈvā-

also ˈve-jən

or -ˌjan

Definition of vegan

: a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals also : one who abstains from using animal products (such as leather)

Other Words from vegan The Difference Between Vegetarian, Vegan, and Other Diets Example Sentences Learn More About vegan

Other Words from vegan

vegan adjective

vegan desserts a vegan restaurant

veganism \ ˈvē-gə-ˌni-zəm

also ˈvā-gə-

or ˈve-jə-

\ noun

The Difference Between Vegetarian, Vegan, and Other Diets

The word vegetarian sprouted up in 1839. Fruitarian ("a person who lives on fruit") ripened by 1893. In 1944, vegetarians who consume no animal or dairy products began calling themselves vegans. Then, in 1993, those who eat fish but no other meat chose pesce, the Italian word for "fish," to create the designation pescatarian. In that same year, meatatarian was served up as a word for those whose diet largely includes meat; that word is rare, however, and is usually used in informal and humorous ways, making it the type of fare not included in our dictionaries. Another fairly recent dietary word is flexitarian, a person who follows a mostly vegetarian diet but occasionally eats meat or fish.

Examples of vegan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some restaurants will prepare halal and vegan options. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 2022 This box ships every other month and focuses on nontoxic, cruelty-free, and vegan beauty essentials. — Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 29 Sep. 2022 For example, a Vegan Favorites Pop-up will showcase vegan ingredients, snacks, and other items. — Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 28 Sep. 2022 The people there seemed interested in only mild progress, like persuading restaurants to add vegan burgers to their menus. — Elizabeth Barber, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022 Taste the rainbow with this just-so-happens-to-be-vegan heart-healthy recipe to lower cholesterol. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2022 There’s also a yummy vegan option, the umeboshi pineapple salad, with fresh cilantro and mint, plum sauce and togarashi seasoning. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2022 But Fletcher has also pursued smaller moves, such as replacing plastic utensils for on-board meals with those made of bamboo and offering vegan meals on all flights. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2022 The chain currently charges 70 cents per drink to substitute cow’s milk with vegan options like oat and soy. — Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 22 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vegan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.