vegan

noun

veg·​an ˈvē-gən 

also

ˈvā- 

also

ˈve-jən 

or

-ˌjan 

: 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)

vegan adjective

vegan desserts

a vegan restaurant

veganism

ˈvē-gə-ˌni-zəm 

also

ˈvā-gə- 

or

ˈve-jə- 

noun

Did you know?

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

According to one meta-analysis, meat consumers tend to have lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to people who do not eat meat (vegans and vegetarians). —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026

Accessible price point, streamlining a regimen, being vegan and clean — all while being salon quality — were also major priorities for Lively when launching her products. —Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026

Make your outfit more interesting by adding exciting texture with these wide-leg high-rise silky pull-on pants, these mid-rise corduroy pants, or these rockstar-esque, vegan leather bootcut pants. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

The selections on this culinary choose-your-own adventure — many of which are vegetarian or vegan — include carrots, green beans, smokey Lima beans, collards and broccoli salad or cucumber salad. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by contraction from vegetarian entry 1

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vegan

noun

veg·​an ˈvē-gən 

: a strict vegetarian who does not use animals or dairy products for food

vegan adjective

veganism

ˈvē-gə-ˌniz-əm 

noun

Medical Definition

vegan

noun

veg·​an ˈvē-gən; ˈvej-ən  -ˌan 

: a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products

vegan adjective

veganism

ˈvē-gə-ˌniz-əm  ˈvej-ə- 

noun