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

Wood was a training camp standout as a rookie, but veteran experience in the room just didn’t offer any path to the roster. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Rather than a concert, Benton envisioned the evening as a community dance party featuring four veteran Kansas City DJs spinning classic funk, R&B and early hip-hop. — Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Schenn and Foligno were aging veterans who were called upon to lead teams in transition, but Hughes and Tkachuk actively sought greener pastures after receiving the reins as young stars in their markets. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Fans have in some instances railed against commentator Alexi Lalas, a veteran analyst, player and soccer executive who has been accused of being too bombastic, and even partisan during his time on air. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 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