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

The veteran will report on July 22 and the team will hold their first practice the next day. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025

But after those two veterans, the Panthers’ cornerback room is notably inexperienced. —Mike Kaye july 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025

These are programs that deal exclusively with veterans, so the staff there have an appreciation and a sensitivity to issues that veterans experience. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025

The overwhelming majority would place their bets on the rookie Jaxson Dart getting the jump over the veteran. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 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