vegetarianism

noun

veg·​e·​tar·​i·​an·​ism ˌve-jə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce vegetarianism (audio)
: the theory or practice of living on a vegetarian diet

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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 vegetarianism in a Sentence

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.
The vegetarianism, that is, not the ethical soapbox speeches. David G. Allan, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 Yet the risk reductions in metabolic diseases associated with sugar rationing in early life are massive, on par with the effects of lifelong vegetarianism or quitting cigarettes. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2024 Veganism, the stricter form of vegetarianism, bans any food products made from meat, poultry and seafood as well as any animal by-products such as gelatin. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024 The history of veganism and vegetarianism within the Black community can be traced across the diaspora to Rastafarian culture and traditional West African cuisine. Noella Williams, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vegetarianism 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vegetarianism was circa 1848

Dictionary Entries Near vegetarianism

Cite this Entry

“Vegetarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegetarianism. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vegetarianism

noun
veg·​e·​tar·​i·​an·​ism ˌvej-ə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce vegetarianism (audio)
: the theory and practice of living on a vegetarian diet

Medical Definition

vegetarianism

noun
veg·​e·​tar·​i·​an·​ism -ē-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce vegetarianism (audio)
: the theory or practice of living on a vegetarian diet
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