Etymology Clipping of vegetarian or vegetable, 1944. Coined by English vegan activist Donald Watson of the Vegan Society and first used in the name of The Vegan News.
1
Food, LifestyleEspecially, Of a product or practice Not containing animal products (meat, eggs, milk, leather, etc) or inherently involving animal use.
He eats a completely vegan diet.
This chocolate cake is vegan.
2 more examples
Is their way of eating healthy and safe? Doctors and nutritionists generally give an almost unqualified “yes” to lacto‐ovo vegetarianism, but express some doubts about vegan diets.1975 March 21, Judy Klemesrud, “Vegetarianism: Growing Way of Life, Especially Among the Young”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
The interest of heavyweight investors is confirmation that vegan food has gone mainstream, but it could also make it harder for Oatly to maintain its anti-establishment image.2021 May 18, Jack Ewing, Lauren Hirsch, “The Big Money Is Going Vegan”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2
Of a person Committed to avoiding any product or practice that inherently involves animal use.
She is not vegan as she eats eggs and wears leather.
Etymology Clipping of vegetarian or vegetable, 1944. Coined by English vegan activist Donald Watson of the Vegan Society and first used in the name of The Vegan News.
1
A person who does not eat, drink or otherwise consume any animal products
2
A person committed to avoiding products and practices that inherently involve animal use, including all foods containing animal products, and to abstaining from direct and intentional harm to animals as far as possible; an adherent to veganism.
Our vegan-friendly shaving brush is made with synthetic bristles instead of badger hair.
Tommy looked deflated. He stepped back slightly, shaking his head. "Never saw such a resemblance. Are you a Vegan?" "No," Bart lied flatly. "Aldebaran. David Briscoe."1963, Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Colors of Space:
Vegan
noun
1
Abbreviation, Ellipsis Ellipsis of Las Vegan (“someone from Las Vegas”).
[…] James G. Scrugham (later to become governor of the state, and a congressman) and Vegans Roy W. Martin , James Cashman and E. W. Griffith.1969, Nevada Highways and Parks, volumes 29-30, page 41: