vegetarianism

American  

[vej-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm] / ˌvɛdʒ ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the beliefs or practices of a vegetarian.

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vegetarianism British  

/ ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of excluding all meat and fish, and sometimes, in the case of vegans, all animal products (such as eggs, cheese, etc) from one's diet

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Etymology

Origin of vegetarianism

First recorded in 1850–55; vegetarian + -ism

Explanation

Do you enjoy veggie burgers, pasta primavera, and bean burritos but skip the beef, chicken, and fish? Then you're a proponent of vegetarianism, the practice of not eating meat. Vegetarianism is all about what someone chooses to include in their diet. A vegetarian doesn't eat meat or fish, and sometimes abstains from animal products like eggs as well. You might be interested in vegetarianism for health reasons or because you're concerned about animal welfare. Before the words vegetarian and vegetarianism were coined in the 19th century, people following this diet were referred to as anti-carnivorous.

Example Sentences

Disillusioned, he bought a round-the-world ticket and found himself in India - experimenting with vegetarianism, yoga and living in a spiritual retreat.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 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

But California, the state that first put vegetarianism on the map in the early 20th century, has been leading the country on plant-based school lunch.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2024

Multiple observers who watched Usha Vance’s speech said the line about vegetarianism appeared to be an attempt to humanize her husband.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2024

A lifetime of peaceful vegetarianism stood between me and the willful beheading of a fish.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel