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

The Ukrainian crew will include veterans and serving military personnel, with the production offering a route back into the film industry for those transitioning to civilian life. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

The 15-year veteran looked confident and capable against the Chiefs on Sunday, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns. — Pete Sweeney october 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

And considering the dearth of new mainstream stars — outside of Doechii and Don Toliver, other emerging talents have yet to commercially break through — hip-hop veterans have more of an opening to notch genuine hits. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Fort Worth police are asking for the public’s help to find the driver responsible for a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 35W that left an Army veteran motorcyclist seriously injured. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 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