veteran
person who has served in the military
A person who has been in the army, navy, air force, or another part of the military, especially in a war.
[someone] is a veteran of [a war/the army]
- The city held a parade to honor local war veterans.
- As a Marine veteran, he still keeps in touch with his old unit.
- Many veterans struggle to adjust to civilian life after leaving the military.
- The government announced new healthcare programs for disabled veterans.
- She is a veteran of the Iraq War and now works as a teacher.
- My grandfather is a veteran of World War II.
- The hospital gives special care to military veterans.
- Many veterans wear medals on special days.
- The town has a memorial for its war veterans.
- Veterans sometimes tell stories about their time in the army.
very experienced person in a field
A person who has many years of experience in a job or activity.
[someone] is a veteran of [an activity/field]
- She’s a veteran of the tech industry with over thirty years of experience.
- The negotiations were led by a veteran of international trade talks.
- As a veteran of countless campaigns, he knew how to handle a tough election.
- That coach is a veteran of many world championships.
- The company hired a veteran of the advertising world to lead the project.
- He is a veteran of many big business deals.
- She is a veteran teacher who has taught for thirty years.
- The team brought in a veteran to help the young players.
- As a veteran of the music scene, he gives good advice to new bands.
- Our guide was a veteran of many mountain trips.
very experienced in a field
Having many years of experience in a job or activity.
a veteran [job/role/profession]
- A veteran journalist broke the story after months of investigation.
- The company hired a veteran manager to turn the failing branch around.
- Under the guidance of a veteran coach, the team finally won the championship.
- He’s a veteran engineer who has worked on hundreds of projects.
- The panel included several veteran activists from the environmental movement.
- She is a veteran doctor at the hospital.
- We listened carefully to the veteran guide.
- The team needs a veteran player to lead them.
- A veteran teacher can handle difficult students well.
- He is a veteran manager and knows how to solve problems.
very old tree, car, etc.
Very old for its kind, usually a tree, car, or machine that has lived or worked for many years.
a veteran [tree/car/vehicle]
- The rally featured dozens of veteran cars from the early twentieth century.
- Conservationists are working to protect the veteran oaks in the park.
- A veteran locomotive pulled the special anniversary train.
- The museum displayed a veteran aircraft from the Second World War.
- They restored a veteran motorcycle that had been in the family for generations.
- We saw a veteran car in the street parade.
- The park has many veteran trees.
- A veteran aircraft is kept in the small museum.
- They repaired a veteran train engine for the show.
- Tourists like to take photos of the veteran bus.
- Base: veteran
- Plural: veterans
combat veteran
1veteran who saw active fighting
A military veteran who has been in real fighting in a war.
- As a combat veteran, she speaks openly about post-traumatic stress.
- The program offers counseling specifically for combat veterans.
- Several combat veterans shared their stories at the school assembly.
military veteran
1person who served in the armed forces
A person who has been in the army, navy, air force, or another part of a country’s armed forces.
- The company actively recruits military veterans for leadership roles.
- Military veterans often bring strong teamwork skills to civilian jobs.
- He is a military veteran with over twenty years of service.
veteran of
1person long experienced in something
A person who has done a particular thing many times or for many years.
- She’s a veteran of international trade negotiations.
- As a veteran of many exams, he gave the students some helpful tips.
- He is a veteran of the local music scene.
veterans' benefits
1official support for veterans
Money, medical care, or other help that the government gives to people who served in the military.
- Lawmakers debated changes to veterans' benefits in parliament.
- He applied for veterans' benefits after he left the army.
- The organization helps former soldiers understand their veterans' benefits.
veterans' hospital
1hospital for former military members
A hospital that gives medical care mainly to people who served in the military.
- He receives treatment at a veterans' hospital outside the city.
- Many veterans' hospitals offer mental health services as well.
- The new clinic will reduce wait times at the main veterans' hospital.
veterans' organization
1association for former military members
A group that helps and supports people who have served in the military.
- He volunteers with a local veterans' organization.
- Several veterans' organizations marched together in the parade.
- The veterans' organization offers job training and counseling.
war veteran
1person who fought in a war
A person who has been a soldier in a war.
- The charity provides housing for homeless war veterans.
- As a war veteran, he finds loud explosions especially stressful.
- The documentary interviews several war veterans about their experiences.