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

Burks signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Heat last summer and again will likely need to settle for a minimum deal to re-sign with the Heat this summer. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025

Brogdon, 32, is a nine-year veteran who has played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers and Wizards. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025

Longtime owners Russ and Kathryn Munson partnered with Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, now Appellation’s COO, to help bring it to life. —Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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