veteran
Americannoun
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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.
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a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war.
a Vietnam veteran.
adjective
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(of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare.
veteran troops.
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experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period.
a veteran member of Congress.
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of, relating to, or characteristic of veterans.
noun
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a person or thing that has given long service in some capacity
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( as modifier )
veteran firemen
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a soldier who has seen considerable active service
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( as modifier )
veteran soldier
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a person who has served in the military forces
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See veteran car
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing veteran
Veterans Day Vocabulary
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November Words
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Memorial Day: Words of Respect and Remembrance
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In their draw against Cape Verde and four wins since they have not conceded a goal, thanks largely to the impressive centre-back partnership of teenager Pau Cubarsi and veteran Aymeric Laporte.
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026
A 14-year veteran of Smucker’s financial operations who now oversees Hostess, Marshall added that the company is focused on stabilizing the business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026
A plainspoken veteran with a dense beard and a closet full of grimy sweatshirts, Platner fit the bill.
From Slate • Jul. 8, 2026
The September 14 gala in Los Angeles will be hosted by veteran "Law and Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
Robinson, a wounded veteran, was serving as an army nurse, keeping watch over Seward as he recovered.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
