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

Some clinicians argue that this is beneficial in preventing vitamin D deficiency and increasing the vitamin D intake in the general population, particularly among people with food allergies and those who follow vegan or vegetarian diets. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 15 Dec. 2025

Afkomst Saddle Crossbody Bag A front flap, structured silhouette, and dark brown vegan leather make this saddle bag a stellar option for anyone who likes the one Holmes carried. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

Known for its vegan-friendly dishes, a gluten- and dairy-free restaurant in New Jersey has come under scrutiny for changing its menu to introduce more protein. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

For years Tumerico has topped the ratings charts, rather shockingly for a largely vegan restaurant situated in cattle country. —Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025

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