vegetarian

[vej-i-tair-ee-uhn]

noun

1. a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.

adjective

1. of or relating to vegetarianism or vegetarians.

2. devoted to or advocating this practice.

3. consisting solely of vegetables.

   vegetarian vegetable soup.

vegetarian

/ ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who advocates or practises vegetarianism

adjective

1. relating to, advocating, or practising vegetarianism

2. cookery strictly, consisting of vegetables and fruit only, but usually including milk, cheese, eggs, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonvegetarian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetarian¹

First recorded in 1835–45; veget(able) + -arian

Example Sentences

In announcing Gramma’s death, the zoo posted video of her munching on vegetarian meals — romaine lettuce and cactus fruit were particular favorites — and meandering around her habitat and lazily plodding through a pond.

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In his first public comment since his arrest, Mr Kuznetsov writes - by hand - that "the Italians have been cynically ignoring my dietary habits for the past two months" - a reference to his vegetarian diet.

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China also has a long history of vegetarian cuisine that is strongly influenced by Buddhism, which preaches nonviolence and doing no harm.

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Their diets were mainly vegetarian, but some had also indulged in a little meat and seafood.

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She began visiting the cafeteria, where she received vegetarian meals, most of which she gave away to other inmates.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal