Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dietary practice that excludes all meat and fish: Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat, including red meat, poultry, seafood, and the flesh of any other animal. It is often adopted for health, ethical, environmental, or religious reasons.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • Her commitment to vegetarianism began after she learned about factory farming.
  • Adopting vegetarianism can have significant health benefits.
  • The restaurant offers many options for people who follow vegetarianism.

Advanced Usage and Concepts

• Ethical Vegetarianism: A form of vegetarianism motivated primarily by animal welfare concerns, opposing the killing of animals for food.
  • His ethical vegetarianism means he also avoids products like leather.
• Lacto-ovo Vegetarianism: The most common type of vegetarian diet, which excludes meat and fish but includes dairy products (lacto) and eggs (ovo).
  • Standard vegetarianism in many Western countries is typically lacto-ovo vegetarianism.

Variants and Related Words

• Vegetarian (noun/adjective): A person who practices vegetarianism, or relating to such a diet.
  • She has been a vegetarian for ten years.
  • We went to a vegetarian restaurant.
• Veganism (noun): A stricter practice that excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and honey, not just meat and fish.
  • Veganism is more restrictive than vegetarianism.

Synonyms

• Plant-based diet: A diet consisting mostly or entirely of foods derived from plants. (Note: This term can sometimes include diets that allow minimal animal products, making it a broader term than strict vegetarianism.)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Strict vegetarianism: Sometimes used to emphasize the exclusion of all meat and fish, or to distinguish from diets that might include fish (pescatarianism).
  • He follows strict vegetarianism, so fish is not allowed.
• Embracing vegetarianism: A phrase meaning to adopt or commit to a vegetarian diet.
  • She is embracing vegetarianism for environmental reasons.

Noun

1. a diet excluding all meat and fish