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

Circus veterans and musical-theater pros merge skills onstage, with performers learning trapeze, aerial work and puppetry under collaborative leaders who emphasize one unified troupe — and absolute trust during death-defying feats. — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Receiver Ryan Miller, who was kept active ahead of veteran Jalen Tolbert, played only on special teams. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

After years of conflict, Etna is a grizzled veteran who knows how to search for explosives and how to kill. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The veteran tight end enters the season after leading Kansas City in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2025. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 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