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
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Even more surprising: Dad has an offer for Nora, who’s just come off a successful run in an avant-garde theatrical production.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Like Irving Penn in his later years, Roversi is especially inspired by avant-garde designers, including John Galliano, Romeo Gigli, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Rosalía’s highlight can be considered an avant-garde interpretation of both foxtail and calico hair.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Even more surprising: Dad has an offer for Nora, who’s just come off a successful run in an avant-garde theatrical production.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
In this book, the whole occupation was described as something avant-garde or positive.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Like Irving Penn in his later years, Roversi is especially inspired by avant-garde designers, including John Galliano, Romeo Gigli, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share