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Definition of vegetarianism

vegetarianism

/ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛriənɪzəm/
veg · e · tar · i · an · ism
Adjective:vegetarian
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vegetarianism Lexical Profile

vegetarianism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice or dietary philosophy of abstaining from the consumption of meat, poultry, and fish, and subsisting on vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes animal byproducts such as dairy and eggs.

Example

"She adopted vegetarianism in college for both ethical and environmental reasons."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for vegetarianism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for vegetarianism

Word Nuance & Usage

While vegetarianism excludes all animal flesh (meat, poultry, and fish), it typically permits animal byproducts such as dairy and eggs, distinguishing it from veganism, which excludes all animal-derived products entirely.

• Rhymes for vegetarianism

• Nearby Words

vegemite
vegetable
vegetarian
vegetarianism
vegetate
vegetation
vegetative

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century from "vegetarian" and the suffix "-ism," popularized with the founding of the Vegetarian Society in England in 1847.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vegetarianism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vegetarianism
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