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

While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

However, what might matter more for Vancouver is what happens to the market in general, and whether those forces might enhance the exchange value and demand for some of the Canucks’ expensive veteran players with term in their late-20s. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 July 2026

John Lewis, an El Paso native and veteran of several famous Austin barbecue joints, moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 2015 to open Lewis Barbecue. — Adrian Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

In free agency, Kansas City signed veteran cornerback Kader Kohou, who appeared in 47 games for the Miami Dolphins from 2022-24 before missing 2025 due to an ACL injury. — Kansas City Star, 1 July 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