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

Wilson valiantly tried to dodge catcher Eric Haase, but the veteran applied the tag to end the inning. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

On Day 2, the Kings chose to bolster their backcourt with a 3-and-D guard as veterans DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk all facing uncertain futures in Sacramento. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

All of them are veterans, as is Doherty who served in Afghanistan. — Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Alex Sarr, who the Wizards took second overall out of France in 2024, will look to take steps forward, while veterans like D’Angelo Russell will also play a role. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 June 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