veteran

noun

vet·​er·​an ˈve-tə-rən How to pronounce veteran (audio)
ˈve-trən
Synonyms of veterannext
1
a
: a former member of the armed forces
b
: an old soldier of long service
2
: a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (such as politics or the arts)
veteran adjective

Synonyms of veteran

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Examples of veteran in a Sentence

a veteran of the political scene He's a 10-year veteran with the team.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Auteurs are out in force in this year’s writing and directing Emmy races and so are veteran pilot and episodic helmers. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 July 2026 Last month, veteran Hollywood producer Roy Lee got three calls in a single day from executives at three different studios. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 The 17th annual Run to Home Base, the largest fundraiser for an organization that provides free mental health care to veterans, will be held July 25. — Staff and Wire Reports, Boston Herald, 8 July 2026 Le Pen, a veteran of three presidential campaigns and daughter of five-time presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen, brings experience. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for veteran

Word History

Etymology

Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old — more at wether

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of veteran was in 1509

Browse Nearby Words

vetchworm
veteran
veteranize
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Cite this Entry

“Veteran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veteran. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

veteran

noun
vet·​er·​an ˈvet-ə-rən How to pronounce veteran (audio)
ˈve-trən
1
: a person who has had long experience (as in politics or the arts)
2
: a former member of the armed forces especially during wartime
veteran adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on veteran

Nglish: Translation of veteran for Spanish Speakers

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