veganism

American  

[vee-guhn-iz-uhm, vay-guhn-iz-uhm] / ˈvi gənˌɪz əm, ˈveɪ gənˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the practice of adhering to a vegan diet or lifestyle.

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Explanation

Veganism is the philosophy and practice of eating no food that comes from animals, including meat, milk, and eggs. For some, veganism also means avoiding the use of animal products like leather and fur. Veganism is the strictest form of vegetarianism, and people who follow this practice only eat plant-based foods. If you want to give veganism a try, you'll need to give up butter, cheese, and eggs — but there are plenty of substitutes made from soy, nuts, and other vegan sources. Vegan was coined in 1944, using the first three and last two letters of vegetarian, by Donald Watson, publisher of a newsletter for strict vegetarians called The Vegan News.

Example Sentences

"I've tried antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, sleeping pills and stimulants, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy... tai chi, reiki, meditation, veganism, art therapy and music therapy," the former stand-up comedian said.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

In fact, the apps appear to be embracing the shift to shared-interest platforms, launching niche alternatives including ones based around fitness, veganism, dog-ownership or even facial hair.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

The environmentalist movement of the 1960s and 70s was intertwined with various healthy-eating trends, from veganism and vegetarianism to macrobiotics.

From Slate • Dec. 2, 2024

Perhaps the other most significant barrier to the adoption of veganism among athletes is the equation of meat with strength, power, virility, and other qualities typically seen as masculine.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2024

And veganism, although Sasha disliked the way other vegans on the Internet made such a huge deal about it.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater