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 Words From

• non·veter·an 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

For some, that brand of fealty is in line with Trump’s choice for his secretary of Defense: conservative Fox News personality and military combat veteran Pete Hegseth.

From Los Angeles Times

Who is Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host and military veteran President-elect Donald Trump nominated as Defense secretary?

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think Hegseth is a serious person or a serious pick,” Rep. Pat Ryan, a New York Democrat and an Army veteran, told MSNBC.

From Los Angeles Times

At least two of those relationships with civilian Pentagon chiefs — retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis and Army combat veteran Mark Esper — resulted in open acrimony, despite a long-standing reluctance on the part of current and retired military officers to publicly criticize the commander in chief.

From Los Angeles Times

The network announced Thursday that veteran anchor Craig Melvin, part of the network’s morning franchise since 2016, is taking over for the departing Hoda Kotb.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expert
• pro
• vet