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

There was further criticism in October after a law was enacted to ban demonstrations in front of Greece's foremost military monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near parliament.

From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025

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

Ahead of attending a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Macron and Starmer are expected to discuss Russia's ongoing invasion and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Downing Street said.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2024

All court cases take one billion years, giving TikTok more time to teach American tweens what quirky memes to perform atop the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while dressed like 9/11.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 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