vanguard

American  

[van-gahrd] / ˈvænˌgɑrd /

noun

vanguards plural

1. the foremost division or the front part of an army; advance guard; van.

2. the forefront in any movement, field, activity, or the like.

3. the leaders of any intellectual or political movement.

4. (initial capital letter) a U.S. three-stage, satellite-launching rocket, the first two stages powered by liquid-propellant engines and the third by a solid-propellant engine.

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vanguard British  

/ ˈvænˌɡɑːd /

noun

1. the leading division or units of a military force

2. the leading position in any movement or field, or the people who occupy such a position

   the vanguard of modern literature

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vanguards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vanguard

First recorded in 1480–90; earlier van(d)gard(e), from Middle French avangarde, variant of avant-garde; see avaunt, guard

Explanation

If you are in the vanguard, you're up front. It could be that you are in the vanguard of an advancing army, or in the vanguard of any movement, trend, or occupation. Vanguard is an old variation of the French word avant-garde meaning "fore-guard" or "front guard." Vanguard and avant-garde have the same basic meaning, but avant-garde generally describes artistic endeavors, while vanguard can be more widely applied. You might talk about the vanguard of fashion on the red carpet, the vanguard of medical research at a university, or the vanguard of a political movement at a demonstration.

Example Sentences

In terms of continued tinkering, Vanguard has several possible solutions to this issue, one being even more auto-enrollment and auto-escalation adoption by company plans, so more workers have savings.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

The tanker Jalveer reported that a fire had broken out in its engine room early on Thursday morning, according to maritime risk management company Vanguard.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Vanguard, which pioneered index mutual funds, says that about 30% of retirement account holders choose equity funds if they’re offered by plan sponsors, and most are indexed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Vanguard has made a splash in fixed-income funds, too.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Sputnik 2 weighed 1,100 pounds; the heaviest American satellite, Vanguard, weighed 3.5 pounds and had yet to make it off the launch pad.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik