warhorse

noun

war·​horse ˈwȯr-ˌhȯrs 

1

: a horse used in war : charger

2

: a person with long experience in a field

especially : a veteran soldier or public person (such as a politician)

3

: something (such as a work of art or musical composition) that has become overly familiar or hackneyed due to much repetition in the standard repertoire

Synonyms of warhorse

• veteran

Examples of warhorse in a Sentence

the Democratic warhorse in the Senate

a general who describes himself as an old warhorse

a new production of an old warhorse

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps most notably, the annual opera program will divert from the Pacific Symphony’s traditional Verdi and Puccini Italian operatic warhorses. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

But these warhorses have been rejuvenated in startling ways. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Early bet faves are Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, with F1 warhorses Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in top 10 odds. 5. —Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

This is a warhorse expected to pull a buggy around a cottage. —Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

war-horse

noun

ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌhȯ(ə)rs

1

: a horse used in war : charger

2

: a veteran soldier or politician