Unknown Soldier

American  

noun

1. an unidentified soldier killed in battle and buried with honors, the tomb serving as a memorial to all the unidentified dead of a nation's armed forces. The tomb of the American Unknown Soldier, commemorating a serviceman killed in World War I, was established in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in 1921. In 1958, the remains of personnel of World War II and the Korean War were buried alongside the tomb (now called theTomb of the Unknowns ). In 1984, a serviceman of the Vietnam War was interred next to the others.

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Unknown Soldier British  

noun

1. (in various countries) an unidentified soldier who has died in battle and for whom a tomb is established as a memorial to other unidentified dead of the nation's armed forces

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Etymology

Origin of Unknown Soldier

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Charles and Camilla then visited Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, where they laid a wreath and flowers at the hilltop Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honoring America's unidentified war dead.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

President Donald Trump marked Veterans Day with a high-profile ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside Vice President J. D.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2025

Sir Keir and the French president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2024

Before the ceremony began, Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2024

So Harry Anable Kniffin's "The Tribute" weaves in 1,700 words a legend about the Unknown Soldier and makes emotionally vivid the burial of Tommy Atkins.

From O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1921 by Marshall, Edison