vanguard

noun

van·​guard ˈvan-ˌgärd How to pronounce vanguard (audio)
 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 How to pronounce vanguard (audio)
 also  ˈvaŋ-
noun
vanguardist
ˈvan-ˌgär-dist How to pronounce vanguard (audio)
 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.

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
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.
If EVs are any augury, America’s days at technology’s vanguard might be numbered. Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025 Once associated with pioneer women in long dresses, Latter-day Saints are increasingly represented by a new vanguard of social media influencers. Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 29 May 2025 How Johnson, who has tried to position himself as part of the progressive vanguard against Trump in urban America, responds to these threats will define much of his next two years in office. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 Despite the oracular hubris of the genetic-screening vanguard, the story a parent wants has only one primary source, one reliable narrator. Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vanguard

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vanguard was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanguard. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

vanguard

noun
van·​guard ˈvan-ˌgärd How to pronounce vanguard (audio)
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"

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