warhorse

American  

[wawr-hawrs] / ˈwɔrˌhɔrs /

Or war-horse,

noun

1. a horse used in war; charger.

2. Informal. a veteran, as a soldier or politician, of many struggles and conflicts.

3. a musical composition, play, etc., that has been seen, heard, or performed excessively.

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warhorse British  

/ ˈwɔːˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a horse used in battle

2. informal a veteran soldier, politician, or elderly person, esp one who is aggressive

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Etymology

Origin of warhorse

First recorded in 1645–55; war ¹ + horse

Example Sentences

The warhorse Wawrinka departed for a medical timeout after the third set as his Melbourne escapades caught up with him.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

But what of the old warhorse, the TV movie?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2023

But the officials at Nasa who are in charge of the old warhorse have just submitted a five-year budget plan.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2022

McAvoy takes like a battle-tested Marine to his role as commander in this smart, stylish enterprise, a worthy re-equipping of a warhorse if there ever was one.

From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2022

“And now we ride,” the Tattered Prince proclaimed from his huge grey warhorse, in a classic High Valyrian that was the closest thing they had to a company tongue.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• old-timer