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

Randolph, a 29-year veteran of the department, had been eligible to retire for nearly five years. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026

Its entire business is geared toward helping veterans buy homes and each program comes back to that one mission — from its free credit counseling program to its seven-part free homebuying course. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026

Much like Philadelphia Phillies veteran Kyle Schwarber, who has hit leadoff at various times in his MLB career, Schultz is a power-hitting left-hander. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Former Texas quarterback and 13-year NFL veteran Colt McCoy will deliver the keynote address at the University of Texas’ 143rd commencement ceremony, the school announced Friday. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 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