veteran

noun

vet·​er·​an ˈve-tə-rən 

ˈve-trən

1

a

: a former member of the armed forces

b

: an old soldier of long service

2

: a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (such as politics or the arts)

veteran adjective

Synonyms of veteran

• vet
• expert
• professional
• master
• warhorse

Examples of veteran in a Sentence

a veteran of the political scene

He's a 10-year veteran with the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Crow, an Army veteran who represents a Colorado district that takes in the eastern and southern suburbs of Denver, is serving as battleground co-chair for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2026 election cycle. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026

Other notable speakers in this year's lineup include veteran astronauts and leading space science voices, such as Robert Gibson (Hoot Gibson), Michelle Thaller, Ken Kremer, David McComas, Mike Ciannilli, Jim Garvin, Gerry Griffin and Kevin Schindler. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Gray is a 14-year big league veteran who was brought to Boston to bolster the starting rotation and provide an additional playoff-caliber starter behind ace Garrett Crochet. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Despite being a newbie in the NBA and everything that comes along with it, the Charlotte Hornets’ rising rookie looks as composed as a veteran at times. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old — more at wether

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

veteran

noun

vet·​er·​an ˈvet-ə-rən 

ˈve-trən

1

: a person who has had long experience (as in politics or the arts)

2

: a former member of the armed forces especially during wartime

veteran adjective