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

“Scientists have to convince politicians,” notes virologist Steve Ahuka, a veteran mpox researcher at the DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research.

From Science Magazine

Although the veteran actress ran the gamut playing characters in films like "Rachel Getting Married" and "La La Land," and shows ranging from "Mad Men" to "Black Mirror" to "The Boys," she says that "When people tell me that their husbands like my work, I think, 'Oh, you must really love your wife.'"

From Salon

The World War Two veteran became a household name for walking up and down the driveway of his home in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

From BBC

As Kevin Madden, a veteran Republican communications strategist noted, Trump “was a celebrity first and a politician second” after marinating for decades in New York’s saucy tabloid culture, then residing in America’s living rooms as a make-believe boardroom baron in “The Apprentice.”

From Los Angeles Times

One thing the veteran refuses to envision is retirement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expert
• pro
• vet