warhorse

noun

war·​horse ˈwȯr-ˌhȯrs 

1

: a horse used in war : charger

2

: a person with long experience in a field

especially : a veteran soldier or public person (such as a politician)

3

: something (such as a work of art or musical composition) that has become overly familiar or hackneyed due to much repetition in the standard repertoire

Synonyms of warhorse

• veteran

Examples of warhorse in a Sentence

the Democratic warhorse in the Senate

a general who describes himself as an old warhorse

a new production of an old warhorse

Recent Examples on the Web

Osgood Perkins’ Keeper wants to add a few wrinkles to this old warhorse’s mix. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025

Peeke, a warhorse all night, stepped into it and blasted a slapper that broke through Ullmark and hit the post. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Again, a première was matched to a warhorse. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

An all-situations warhorse throughout his NHL career, and the defensive engine for the 2023 Cup champions, Pietrangelo, on June 30, released an alarming update about his health. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

war-horse

noun

ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌhȯ(ə)rs

1

: a horse used in war : charger

2

: a veteran soldier or politician