Simply put, veganism is abstinence from the use of animal products in both diet and lifestyle.

A great explanation of ethical veganism comes from the International Vegetarian Union, "Veganism may be defined as a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. In dietary terms, it refers to the practice of dispensing with all animal produce, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives."