veteran

noun

vet·er·an | \ ˈve-tə-rən

How to pronounce veteran (audio)

, ˈve-trən\

Definition of veteran

1a : 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)

Other Words from veteran Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about veteran

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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 Heat played most of the game without G League veteran Charles Cooke, who went to the locker room in the final minute of the first period, entering the NBA's concussion protocol, assuredly out for at least Wednesday's game, as well. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Kendrick Nunn, Yante Maten offer summer statements in Heat victory over Kings," 3 July 2019 The final appointment sees Josep Borrell, a veteran Spanish social democrat, as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. — The Economist, "EU leaders’ arduous deal on top jobs may yet fall apart," 3 July 2019 That would allow veterans who received medical training overseas to leverage those skills toward a healthcare degree stateside, Bantle said. — oregonlive.com, "Potential Southern Oregon health careers college receives $10 million boost from state," 3 July 2019 In Taxi Driver, Robert De Niro’s descent into psychosis — precipitated by the government’s near-total disregard for returning Vietnam veterans — is also fueled by Coca-Cola. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, Vox, "Why Stranger Things is perfect for product promo," 3 July 2019 The agency will partner with Michigan Department of Corrections programs that offer skilled trades training and reemployment guidance to veterans. — Angie Jackson, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan receives federal grant to help hundreds of ex-offenders obtain employment," 2 July 2019 But first, burning the American flag: It's seen as the ultimate form of protest, but here's why veterans set fire to 25,000 flags in Kentucky. — Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY, "Did Kaepernick nix Nike's flag shoes?," 2 July 2019 On a warm June day, Bélizaire is sitting in the shade with Marie-Claire Kolié, a Guinean doctor and veteran of the largest Ebola epidemic on record, which struck West Africa from 2014 to 2016. — Amy Maxmen, Scientific American, "Meet the Ebola Workers Battling a Virus in a War Zone," 1 July 2019 Because military education benefits are not included in that limit, many schools aggressively recruit veterans and are almost entirely subsidized by taxpayers. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "California bill targeting for-profit colleges is gutted," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'veteran.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for veteran

veteran

noun

English Language Learners Definition of veteran

: someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc.

: someone who has a lot of experience in a particular activity, job, etc.

See the full definition for veteran in the English Language Learners Dictionary

veteran

noun

vet·er·an | \ ˈve-tə-rən

, ˈve-trən\

Kids Definition of veteran

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person who has had long experience

2 : a former member of the armed forces especially in war

veteran

adjective

Kids Definition of veteran (Entry 2 of 2)

: having gained skill through experience She is a veteran dog trainer.

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WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

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