/vet"euhr euhn, ve"treuhn/ , n.
1. a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like: a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions.
2. a person who has served in a military force, esp. one who has fought in a war: a Vietnam veteran.
adj.
3. (of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare: veteran troops.
4. experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period: a veteran member of Congress.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of veterans.
[ 1495-1505; veteranus mature, experienced, equiv. to veter- (s. of vetus ) old + -anus -AN ]