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
Rebecca Shinners, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2026
The avant-garde phenomenon returns to the stage, as a part of the Prototype Festival—with a little help from Bang on a Can and St. Vincent.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2026
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Over nearly two decades, Ray has forged a singular path across the boundaries of techno, ambient, and avant-garde sound, evolving from the delicate minimalism of his early releases to a distinctive blend of hypnotic textures and futuristic rhythms.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
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Noun
Some are even more avant-garde, looking like a sculpture rather than a bouquet.
—Rebecca Shinners, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2026
The avant-garde phenomenon returns to the stage, as a part of the Prototype Festival—with a little help from Bang on a Can and St. Vincent.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The soulful menswear à la Yohji Yamamoto, avant-garde deconstructivism in Rei Kawakubo’s creations for Comme des Garçons and the innovative practicality of the colorful Issey Miyake designs have cemented a precise notion of what the island country’s fashion is about.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Over nearly two decades, Ray has forged a singular path across the boundaries of techno, ambient, and avant-garde sound, evolving from the delicate minimalism of his early releases to a distinctive blend of hypnotic textures and futuristic rhythms.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 2026.
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