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

• doyen
• old hand
• old-timer
• stager
• vet
• 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 independent retailer, which was started a decade ago by men’s marketing veteran Paul C. Witt, has two new locations — one of which marks its debut foray into womenswear — and a private label on the way. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

The Denver Broncos’ veteran wide receiver, about an hour after his team moved to the doorstep of the playoffs with a 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, was asked to imagine the game’s defining play in an alternate universe. —Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

One military veteran told CNN that federal authorities would be doing more than appearing on Sunday talk shows or giving briefings if people were in danger. —Steve Almasy, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

The movie is based on the novel by Beat writer William S. Burroughs with Craig as William Lee, a World War II veteran in late-1940s Mexico City who falls for younger man Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey). —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

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