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 Vivienne Westwood, who died in December 2022, has long been recognized as a vanguard of the fashion industry — pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable, even at times what was wearable, and using her platform to amplify discussions on climate change and over-consumption. Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 By 1927, the Bruces, who had arrived as a vanguard in the Western wing of the Great Migration away from the Jim Crow South, had moved away. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024 In September, Shakira was honored with the coveted video vanguard award at the MTV Video Music Awards, which recognizes an artist’s lifetime achievement. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Zionism was, as Cohen insinuates, at the nervous vanguard of identity politics. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 Douglass Morgan is in the sports vanguard as the president of the Las Vegas Raiders and the first Black female team president in the history of the NFL. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Feb. 2024 Executive producers include Taiwan New Wave vanguards Hou Hsiao-hsien and Liao Ching-sung, who are on board the project since its inception. Patrick Frater, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024 Timothy Keller — Presbyterian Timothy Keller, a vanguard of conservative Presbyterianism, died at the age of 72 this year. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2023 In between arrived Norman Lear and a vanguard of writer-producers who thought the American living room was ready to welcome characters who were a little more like real people and a lot less like Gomer Pyle. Kyle Smith, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vanguard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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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Dictionary Entries Near vanguard

Cite this Entry

“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanguard. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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