veteran

[vet-er-uhn, ve-truhn]

noun

1. a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like.

   a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions.

2. a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war.

   a Vietnam veteran.

adjective

1. (of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare.

   veteran troops.

2. experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period.

   a veteran member of Congress.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of veterans.

veteran

/ ˈvɛtrən, ˈvɛtərən /

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that has given long service in some capacity

   2. ( as modifier )

      veteran firemen

2. 1. a soldier who has seen considerable active service

   2. ( as modifier )

      veteran soldier

3. a person who has served in the military forces

4. See veteran car

Other Word Forms

• nonveteran noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of veteran¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Latin veterānus “mature, experienced,” from veter- (stem of vetus ) “old” + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of veteran¹

C16: from Latin veterānus, from vetus old

Example Sentences

For Shama Husain, who is the daughter of a Muslim army veteran, the memorial is incredibly meaningful.

From BBC

He has gone from a young role player on the Dodgers, to something of a veteran leader with the Reds.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunt, 36, is a veteran of England's most recent World Cup win in 2014 and was controversially left out of the squad for the 2022 tournament.

From BBC

Emily Scarratt, appearing at her fifth World Cup and a veteran of the team's last successful title tilt, has been running the water for those selected ahead of her.

From BBC

“Stripped of my rights, treated like I didn’t belong and locked away — all as an American citizen and a veteran ... if it can happen to me, it can happen to any one of us.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• old-time 
• skilled 
• trained www.thesaurus.com