vanguard

noun

van·​guard ˈvan-ˌgärd 

also ˈvaŋ-

1

: the forefront of an action or movement

2

: the troops moving at the head of an army

vanguardism

ˈvan-ˌgär-ˌdi-zəm 

also ˈvaŋ-

noun

vanguardist

ˈvan-ˌgär-dist 

also ˈvaŋ-

noun

Did you know?

Vanguard comes from Anglo-French avantgarde, from avant, meaning "before," and garde, "guard." In medieval times, avantgarde referred to the troops that marched at the head of the army. In time, vanguard marched its way as a word for the group of people who are the leaders of an action or movement in society, politics, art, etc.

Synonyms of vanguard

• pioneer
• underground
• avant-garde

Examples of vanguard in a Sentence

a style of jazz that the vanguard quickly recognized as new and exciting

talk radio is often regarded as being in the vanguard of the conservative movement

Recent Examples on the Web

Angst-filled and politically pointed, Ministry became a vanguard of industrial rock, with Jourgensen as majordomo, launching side projects such as Revolting Cocks and Lard and providing the groundwork for the all-star collective Pigface. — Gary Graff, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2026

California — long a vanguard of environmental policy — has embraced the technology. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

In jazz, the uprising of a boundary-testing vanguard continues. — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026

But the culture O’Brian describes to me doesn’t sound like a vanguard of white nationalism or anything close to a political organizing operation like the Democratic Socialists of America. — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vauntgard, borrowed from Anglo-French vantgarde, avantgarde, from avant- "fore-" (from avant "before," going back to Late Latin abante) + garde guard entry 1 — more at advance entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing vanguard

• at the vanguard
• the vanguard

Rhymes for vanguard

• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard
• courtyard
• debarred
• diehard

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Kids Definition

vanguard

noun

van·​guard ˈvan-ˌgärd 

1

: the troops moving at the head of an army

2

: the forefront of an action or movement

Etymology

Middle English vauntgard "the troops moving at the head of an army," from early French vantgarde, avantgarde (same meaning), derived from avant- "fore-, in front" and garde "guard"