veteran

noun

vet·​er·​an ˈve-tə-rən How to pronounce veteran (audio)
ˈve-trən
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

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 Eleven candidates are running, including two Democratic veterans: Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who is also a former Palo Alto mayor, state senator and state Assemblyman. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 With a new incarnation of the band in tow, WITCH veterans Jagari and Patrick have delivered thunderous performances from Los Angeles to Lusaka. Tracy Kawalik, SPIN, 5 Mar. 2024 With no advertising breaks and conventional b-roll packages, a group of game veterans including Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick served live commentary panel-style. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 Just think, the young, hot newcomer versus the seasoned veteran who somehow survived being a young, hot newcomer! David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2024 Soon afterwards, the 13-year veteran jogged towards the stands to look for his family, sharing another emotional hug with his wife Kylie and a handshake with his father Ed Kelce, who traveled to Florida to be there for the game. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 The 17-year veteran played two seasons with the Royals. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Stephanie Dasher is the executive director of Warrior Surf Foundation, a nonprofit that provides surf therapy to veterans. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024 Politics in Brief Cannabis classification: Some of the nation’s largest veterans groups are pushing the Biden administration to ease federal restrictions on marijuana, joining a growing number of calls to reschedule the drug. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'veteran.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near veteran

Cite this Entry

“Veteran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veteran. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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