vanguard

noun

van·guard | \ˈvan-ˌgärd also ˈvaŋ-

Definition of vanguard

1 : the forefront of an action or movement

2 : the troops moving at the head of an army

Other Words from vanguard Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about vanguard

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Other Words from vanguard

vanguardism \ˈvan-ˌgär-ˌdi-zəm

also ˈvaŋ- \ noun

vanguardist \ˈvan-ˌgär-dist

also ˈvaŋ- \ noun

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

Nearly four decades ago, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping chose the region to be the vanguard for China’s economic liberalization. — Dan Strumpf, WSJ, "A Twist in the U.S. Tariff Battle: ‘It’s Helping China Be More Competitive’," 17 Sep. 2018 Lee is at the vanguard of issues of social justice and representation. — Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, "The Delicate Art of Creating New Emoji," 28 June 2018 Teacher unions are at the vanguard because their ties to the community are long term and close-knit, says Mr. Bruno of the University of Illinois. — Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, "Court ruling a blow, not a knockout, to public unions," 27 June 2018 As creator and visionary of the Ralph Lauren brand worldwide, Mr. Lauren has been a vanguard for the global fashion industry and American style for nearly half a century. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Ralph Lauren Receives an Honorary Knighthood From the United Kingdom," 14 Nov. 2018 Finnriver was in the vanguard, entering the market just before U.S. cider production began spiking and widening the horizon of possibilities for fermented apple juice. — Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, "Destination Dining: Finnriver Farm & Cidery," 25 Sep. 2018 Kusama, whose work was in the global vanguard in the 1960s and 70s, is back on the forward edge of a cultural conversation about how to balance access with depth and quality of experience. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Kusama 'Infinity Mirrors' show in Toronto offers preview of what's coming to Cleveland (photos)," 6 May 2018 Philadelphia’s move away from Styrofoam puts it in the vanguard. — Philly.com, "Philly schools ditch Styrofoam trays, embrace a greener lunch option," 13 Feb. 2018 Abdulhaqq, 14, a student from Douglasville, Ga., is emblematic of the vanguard of today's gun-control movement: young people whose exposure to tragedy has driven them toward activism. — Caroline Simon, USA TODAY, "2 years after the Pulse nightclub shooting, young gun-control activists plan 'die-in' on Capitol Hill," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vanguard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.