Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who has had long experience in a particular field: A "veteran" is someone who has worked in a profession, activity, or skill for a very long time and is therefore highly experienced.
   • A former member of the armed forces: A "veteran" is a person who has served in the military, especially during a war.

2. Adjective:

   • Having long experience: The adjective "veteran" describes a person or thing that is very experienced due to long service or practice in a particular area.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She is a veteran of the teaching profession, with over 40 years of experience.
  • The organization provides support for military veterans.
• Adjective:
  • The team is led by a veteran officer who knows how to handle crises.
  • He is a veteran journalist, having reported from conflict zones for decades.

Advanced Usage

• "Veteran of": This phrase is used to specify the field in which someone has long experience.
  • He is a veteran of the music industry.
• "Veteran status": This term refers to the condition of having served in the military.
  • The job application asked if he claimed veteran status.

Variants and Related Words

• Veterans Day (proper noun): A U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans, observed on November 11.
• Veteran's Administration (VA) (proper noun): A U.S. government agency responsible for providing services to veterans.

Synonyms

• Noun (experienced person): Expert, old hand, stalwart, seasoned professional.
• Noun (ex-serviceman): Ex-serviceman, ex-servicewoman, former soldier, old soldier.
• Adjective: Experienced, seasoned, long-serving, practiced.

Related Phrases

• Battle-hardened veteran: A veteran, especially a soldier, who has become tough and experienced through difficult experiences.
  • The battle-hardened veteran offered calm advice to the new troops.
• War veteran: A veteran who served during a time of war.
  • The parade honored the war veterans from the local community.

Related Idioms

• A veteran of many campaigns: An idiom describing someone with extensive experience in a series of efforts or struggles, not necessarily military.
  • As a veteran of many political campaigns, she was an invaluable advisor.

Adjective

1. rendered competent through trial and experience
   • a seasoned traveler
   • veteran steadiness
   • a veteran officer

Noun

1. an experienced person who has been through many battles; someone who has given long service
2. a person who has served in the armed forces
3. a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
   • the veterans laughed at the new recruits