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

Example Sentences

Watching a K-pop groups like Blackpink headline Coachella — and a veteran act like Bigbang return to the stage this year — broadened their aspirations for performing in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Shell’s resignation comes after an investigation into whether he disclosed confidential company information to a man who claimed to have consulted for the veteran media executive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Last week, Air India's rival IndiGo, which is India's largest airline, named aviation industry veteran Willie Walsh as its new chief to help the company grow amid such pressures.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

One veteran value fund manager thinks so, but he’s quick to point out that value doesn’t have to mean unloved stocks that are trading at bargain basement prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Thomas Jones was a Confederate Secret Service veteran who had spent his entire life trailblazing through the fields, thickets, and forests of rural Maryland and navigating its streams, marshes, and rivers.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• old-time
• skilled
• trained