Definition of PESCATARIAN (original) (raw)

: one whose diet includes fish but no other meat

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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 pescatarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Dietary options: Carb-conscious, gluten-free, high-protein, keto, Mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian Meal examples: Caribbean-spiced tilapia with mango salsa; beef and sweet potato taco skillet; harvest salad with chicken and bacon Cost: Meals start at 13perserving.—![](https://www.merriam−webster.com/dist−cross−dungarees/2025−01−06−−19−03−20−60eyj/images/svg/redesign/vi−mdash.svg)SaraCoughlin,SELF,23Dec.2024Themenualsooffersplentyforvegandpescatarianswithhamachiceviche(13 per serving. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024 The menu also offers plenty for veg and pescatarians with hamachi ceviche (13perserving.—![](https://www.merriamwebster.com/distcrossdungarees/2025010619032060eyj/images/svg/redesign/vimdash.svg)SaraCoughlin,SELF,23Dec.2024Themenualsooffersplentyforvegandpescatarianswithhamachiceviche(19), shrimp aguachile ($19), and a tlacoyo filled with mushrooms, Oaxacan cheese, and beans ($22). —Monica Eng, Axios, 29 July 2024 This cookbook is a must-have for pescatarians, home cooks with a knack for sustainability, adventurous eaters, and anyone who loves hosting dinner parties. —L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024 The mayor, a pescatarian who frequently names vegan soul food spot The Land of Kush as one of his favorite Baltimore restaurants, cited the health and environmental benefits of vegan eating in his proclamation. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pescatarian

Word History

Etymology

probably from Italian pesce fish (from Latin piscis) + English vege_tarian_

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pescatarian was in 1991

Dictionary Entries Near pescatarian

Cite this Entry

“Pescatarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pescatarian. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 26 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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