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
Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 12 Feb. 2026
Born in Lake Placid, N.Y., Curwen graduated from Parsons before cutting his teeth in the studios of New York City’s avant-garde, starting at Area, then cycling through Wiederhoeft, Elena Velez and Jane Wade.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
Wang paired her bright blonde hair with a white mididress that featured gathered ruching down the center line, along with a black jacket with avant-garde sculptural sleeve details.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
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Noun
Other avant-garde theaters existed at the time, most notably Undermain.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 12 Feb. 2026
Born in Lake Placid, N.Y., Curwen graduated from Parsons before cutting his teeth in the studios of New York City’s avant-garde, starting at Area, then cycling through Wiederhoeft, Elena Velez and Jane Wade.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Francesco Risso, who helmed Marni after Castiglioni’s departure in 2016 through last year, took the brand in a more avant-garde, experimental direction.
—Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
Wang paired her bright blonde hair with a white mididress that featured gathered ruching down the center line, along with a black jacket with avant-garde sculptural sleeve details.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
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 27 Feb. 2026.
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