ˌä-ˌvän(t)-ˈgärd 
ˌa-;
ə-ˈvänt-ˌgärd;
ˌa-ˌvōⁿ-ˈgärd,
ˌa-ˌvȯn(t)-ˈgärd
: an intelligentsia that develops new or experimental concepts especially in the arts
the avant-garde in the film industry
: of or relating to an avant-garde
avant-garde writers
an avant-garde filmmaker
Examples of avant-garde in a Sentence
Noun
to the theater world's avant-garde, the melodrama seemed like a very old-fashioned play whose time had come and gone
Adjective
a very avant-garde artist whose works wouldn't even be considered art by many traditionalists
Recent Examples on the Web
Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
For Frankenthaler, as for much of the postwar American avant-garde, form, not content, did the talking.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Another standout was Ski Lodge, hidden behind Superfrico—a psychedelic Italian-American restaurant pairing avant-garde art with stellar dishes (the hamachi crudo and tuna tartare were exceptional).
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
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Noun
The comedic play focuses on a company of actors cast in an avant-garde performance piece.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
For Frankenthaler, as for much of the postwar American avant-garde, form, not content, did the talking.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The shoe, by Maison Margiela, is one of the French avant-garde label’s most recognizable styles.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Another standout was Ski Lodge, hidden behind Superfrico—a psychedelic Italian-American restaurant pairing avant-garde art with stellar dishes (the hamachi crudo and tuna tartare were exceptional).
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avant-garde. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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