vanguard

[van-gahrd]

noun

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.

vanguard

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanguard¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanguard¹

C15: from Old French avant-garde, from avant- fore- + garde _guard

Example Sentences

As a result, an institution with an illustrious record of solving the hardest problems in space now faces a daunting task here on Earth: reclaiming its place at the vanguard of exploration and innovation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But add up the dozen or so other countries that form the supposed vanguard of this new world order: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan.

Read more on Barron's

In an era when college players now get paid, UNC promised to be at the vanguard of adapting, led by decision makers who spent their careers operating under the constraints of a salary cap.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If there was an issue on the vanguard of civil liberties, the fund and its directors were aware and considering it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They are at the vanguard of the sport's professional era, the elite of the three million people who play netball in England at least once a year.

Read more on BBC