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

• vet
• expert
• professional
• old-timer
• warhorse
• master

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

Catherine Vautrin, a veteran of the center-right, replaced Lecornu as defense minister. —CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025

That conviction comes alive across Portrait, a lush and fearless record co-produced by veteran trumpeter Brian Lynch. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Oct. 2025

Based on a true story, Roofman follows the adventures of an Army veteran and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname Roofman. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025

Fox59 confirmed with IndyStar that veteran TV reporter Russ McQuaid was at the scene. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 12 Oct. 2025

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