vanguard Hear it!

vanguard definition

van·guard (van′gärd′)

noun

  1. the part of an army which goes ahead of the main body; the van
  2. the leading position or persons in a movement, field of endeavor, etc.

Etymology: ME vaunt garde < OFr avant-garde < avant, before (see avaunt) + garde (see guard)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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