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

• vet
• expert
• professional
• old-timer
• warhorse
• master

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

Two reps later, Nix saw blitz and — with a veteran’s cool — checked into a quick-hit to Evan Engram, who sped for 20 yards. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025

The 40-year-old NBA veteran is reportedly expected to make his return sometime in November. —Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025

The Jets also have veterans Allen Lazard (who didn’t travel with the team to London last week for personal reasons) and Tyler Johnson, as well as fourth-round rookie Arian Smith, who has only four receptions over 191 offensive snaps. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

The family-friendly concert features patriotic music honoring veterans, as well as contemporary and classical selections, movie and theater musical favorites. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025

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