vet ‧ e ‧ ran /ˈvet ə rən/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: veteranus , from veteranus 'old, of long experience' , from vetus 'old' ]
1 . someone who has been a soldier, sailor etc in a war
veteran of
a veteran of the Second World War
a Vietnam veteran
2 . someone who has had a lot of experience of a particular activity
veteran of
a veteran of countless political campaigns
veteran politician/campaigner/leader etc
the veteran leader of the socialist party
veteran journalist/actor/goalkeeper etc