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Definition of 'veteran'

Word Frequency

veteran

(vetərən )
Word forms: plural veterans
1. countable noun
A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war.
The charity was formed in 1919 to care for veterans of the First World War. [+ of]
2. countable noun [usually NOUN noun]
You use veteran to refer to someone who has been involved in a particular activity for a long time.
...the veteran Labour MP and former Cabinet minister.
More Synonyms of veteran
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'veteran'

Word Frequency

veteran in British

(ˈvɛtərən , ˈvɛtrən )
noun
1. 
a. 
a person or thing that has given long service in some capacity
b. 
(as modifier)
veteran firemen
2. 
a. 
a soldier who has seen considerable active service
b. 
(as modifier)
veteran soldier
3. US and Canadian
a person who has served in the military forces
4.  veteran car
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'veteran'
C16: from Latin veterānus, from vetus old
Word Frequency

veteran in American

(ˈvɛtərən ; vetˈərən; ˈvɛtrən ; veˈtrən)
adjective
1. 
experienced; practiced
2. 
designating or of a person who has served in the armed forces
noun
3. 
a. 
an old, experienced soldier, etc., esp. one who served in time of war
b. 
any person who has served in the armed forces
4. 
a person of long experience in some occupation or position
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'veteran'
L veteranus < vetus (gen. veteris), old < IE base *wet-, year > wether, Gr etos, year

Example sentences containing 'veteran'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
OUR war veterans traumatised by combat stress need all the help they can get. The Sun (2016)FORMER cops have blasted a bid to recruit them to probe war veterans for alleged abuse. The Sun (2016)The troops had volunteered to give evidence about what help is offered by the ministry to soldiers and veterans under Ihat investigation. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Some welfare services for veterans will be suspended. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Many smaller churches may not have any returning combat veterans. Christianity Today (2000)Ostensibly it was to raise money for military veterans. Times, Sunday Times (2016) Fellow veterans are thin on the ground. Times, Sunday Times (2007)It will also provide extra mental health services for veterans. The Sun (2010)And last night the players vowed to give more to injured combat veterans. The Sun (2011)The war veteran had been asked by carers if he had a dream and his answer was to ride once more. The Sun (2010) Military veterans in particular may benefit. Times, Sunday Times (2013)This is more than bravado, say veterans. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It was only when a fellow veteran phoned the home to say he was alive and well that staff were able to relax. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The issue of judgment is of great importance in repairing the sense of connection between the combat veteran and those closest to him. Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)Like old war veterans we shared stories, discussed what made us leave and what the future held. Times, Sunday Times (2007)At least two other interpreters seeking asylum are receiving financial and other help from Helmand veterans including serving soldiers. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Earlier soldiers and veterans marched 355 steps, one for each soldier honoured by the town. The Sun (2011)Images taken by a veteran former police diver show something disquieting going on in the newly protected areas around Britain's shoreline. Times, Sunday Times (2014)But if the veteran former Malaga coach is feeling the pressure, then he is doing a good job of hiding it. The Sun (2015)

Trends of 'veteran'

In Common Usage. veteran is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'veteran'

British English: veteran /ˈvɛtərən; ˈvɛtrən/ ADJECTIVE
A veteran campaigner, actor, or other person is someone who has been involved in their particular activity for a long time.
...the veteran politician.
  • American English: veteran
  • Arabic: مُحَنَّك
  • Brazilian Portuguese: veterano
  • Chinese: 老兵的
  • Croatian: prokušan
  • Czech: zkušený
  • Danish: veteran-
  • Dutch: ervaren
  • European Spanish: veterano experimentado
  • Finnish: veteraani-
  • French: chevronné
  • German: altgedient
  • Greek: παλαίμαχος
  • Italian: veterano
  • Japanese: 老練な
  • Korean: 노련한
  • Norwegian: veteran-
  • Polish: wytrawny
  • European Portuguese: veterano
  • Romanian: veteran
  • Russian: опытный
  • Spanish: veterano
  • Swedish: erfaren
  • Thai: ซึ่งมีประสบการณ์
  • Turkish: emektar
  • Ukrainian: досвідчений
  • Vietnamese: kỳ cựu
British English: veteran /ˈvɛtərən; ˈvɛtrən/ NOUN
A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war.
...veterans of the last war.
  • American English: veteran
  • Arabic: مُحَارِبٌ قَدِيـم
  • Brazilian Portuguese: veterano
  • Chinese: 老兵
  • Croatian: veteran
  • Czech: veterán voják
  • Danish: veteran
  • Dutch: veteraan
  • European Spanish: veterano soldado
  • Finnish: veteraani
  • French: vétéran
  • German: Veteran
  • Greek: βετεράνος
  • Italian: veterano
  • Japanese: 老練な人
  • Korean: 고참
  • Norwegian: veteran
  • Polish: weteran
  • European Portuguese: veterano
  • Romanian: veteran
  • Russian: ветеран
  • Spanish: veterano
  • Swedish: veteran
  • Thai: ทหารผ่านศึก
  • Turkish: gazi
  • Ukrainian: ветеран
  • Vietnamese: cựu chiến binh

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Nearby words of 'veteran'

  • vetch
  • vetchling
  • vetchy
  • veteran
  • veteran car
  • Veterans Administration
  • Veterans Day

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'V'

Related Terms of 'veteran'

  • veteran car

Source

Definition of veteran from the Collins English Dictionary

The past simple tense

Typical forms of this tense are as in: I met her. She met him. I went there. She went there. Because the past simple consists of one word only, the past simple tense of do, which is did,...
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Scrabble score for 'veteran': 10
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