veteran

American  

[vet-er-uhn, ve-truhn] / ˈvɛt ər ən, ˈvɛ trən /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonveteran
  noun

Etymology

Origin of veteran

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

Explanation

Veteran commonly refers to someone who has fought in a war––think Veterans' Day, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial––but, in fact, the word can mean anyone with experience in a particular field. Many veterans of World War II went to college afterward, through the G.I. Bill, and pursued professional careers. At the end of those careers, it was not unusual to find among the ranks of veteran teachers or veteran attorneys or veteran doctors men who were also veterans of the war.

Example Sentences

Veteran songstress Madonna is appealing for the return of missing costumes she wore during her recent Coachella set with Sabrina Carpenter.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Veteran guitarist Cyrus Tata remembered being put on stage at just 12, at one of the Sunday Band Wagon shows.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Veteran Saudi columnist Abdulrahman al-Rashid said the crown prince cuts his losses when plans fall short or better options emerge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

“When a homeless Veteran sees a VA employee offering help, a veteran should have a sense of trust that VA assistance will focus on known and effective solutions,” Sullivan told Salon.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Veteran demigods from the city had joined the battle, and were pushing their shield wall against an onslaught of wild centaurs.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• old-time
• skilled
• trained