veteran

Everyday

1. A veteran is a person who has served in the armed forces, especially someone who fought in a war. tree →
2. A veteran is also someone who has done a job or activity for a long time and has much experience: «a veteran teacher». tree →
3. (adjective) Veteran means old and experienced, or (of cars) very old: «a veteran car». tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship lessons, veterans are remembered on Remembrance Day (UK, Canada, 11 November), Veterans Day (US, 11 November) and Anzac Day (Australia and New Zealand, 25 April). In everyday life and sport, a veteran is someone with long experience. Phrases: «war veteran», «a veteran of», «veteran player».

Examples

• Great-grandpa was a veteran of the Second World War. tree →
• Veterans marched past the war memorial on Remembrance Sunday. tree →
• On Anzac Day, we listened to a veteran speak at school. tree →
• Mrs Hall is a veteran teacher with thirty years in the classroom. tree →
• The veteran goalkeeper played his last match. tree →
• A veteran car rally drove through our village. tree →

Note

Countable: a veteran, veterans. Say «VET-er-un» or «VET-run». Informal US short form: «vet» — but in the UK «vet» usually means an animal doctor (veterinarian), a common trap. Veteran is about long experience, not only about old age.