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

A Reform government would close asylum hotels, she said, and "Welsh families and veterans" would be "first in the queue for housing, first in the queue for support, not illegal immigrants".

From BBC

McVay is eager to see what the veterans can do together.

From Los Angeles Times

Digging out of that deep hole, said veteran infielder Kyle Farmer, will first require changing the culture and expectations around the team by refusing to accept losing.

From Los Angeles Times

After housing as many as 4,000 veterans early in the 20th century, the Soldier’s Home was shut down in the early 1970s as the VA shifted its mission to medical treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is a community of retired elderly, veterans and disabled individuals who really have no other place to go.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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