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

The veteran militant—born to a Lebanese mother and Iranian father—had risen through the ranks and helped build out Tehran’s broader network of militias surrounding Israel.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Headed by Searchlight and Paramount veteran Megan Colligan, Row K has a broad mandate of opening eight to 10 films a year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Clues for it were written by veteran puzzle maker Natan Last, who has long endorsed the idea that puzzles at their best blend politics, community and a nerdy good time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Talks between the government and veterans' organisations will take place as the bill progresses, but Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "confident" the bill will not lead to vexatious prosecutions of former soldiers.

Read more on BBC

It described Ali Tabtai, Hezbollah's chief of staff, as a veteran of the group who had held a series of senior positions.

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Related Words

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