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

The Cubs’ World Series MVP praised the mix of hungry veterans and young guys looking to win their first title. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Randle’s wife has her circle of friends nearby, and the veteran forward has his own community outside basketball. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Amid Butker’s recent struggles, the Chiefs signed veteran Justin Tucker to the practice squad Wednesday, giving Kansas City another option while providing additional competition for its longtime kicker. — Pete Sweeney november 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Morales is a former corrections officer, pastor and military veteran who filed to run for Texas’ 34th Congressional District in 2025 and later dropped out, Lindenmuth said. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 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