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

In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time. —Matt Brown, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026

In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time. —Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

Created by The Late Show veteran Cullen Crawford, Strip Law focuses on Lincoln Gumb (Adam Scott), son of a Las Vegas legal legend who was somewhat recently killed in what was apparently a gory mishap. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026

His father, who the actor said was a Navy veteran and an architect, died of a gunshot wound when Dane was 7. —Maria Sherman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 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