Dictionary

veteran

noun vet·er·an \ˈve-tə-rən, ˈve-trən\

: someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc.

: someone who has a lot of experience in a particular activity, job, etc.

Full Definition of VETERAN

1
a :  an old soldier of long service
b :  a former member of the armed forces
2
:  a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)
veteran adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of VETERAN

Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old — more at wether
First Known Use: 1509

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical
VETERAN Defined for Kids

1veteran

noun vet·er·an \ˈve-tə-rən, ˈve-trən\

Definition of VETERAN for Kids

1
:  a person who has had long experience
2
:  a former member of the armed forces especially in war

2veteran

adjective

Definition of VETERAN for Kids

:  having gained skill through experience <She is a veteran dog trainer.>

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: veteranizePrevious Word in the Dictionary: vetchwormAll Words Near: veteran
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears