advance guard

noun

1. a body of troops going before the main force to clear the way, guard against surprise, etc.

advance guard

noun

1. a military unit sent ahead of a main body to find gaps in enemy defences, clear away minor opposition, and prevent unexpected contact

2. a temporary military detachment sent ahead of a force to prepare for a landing or other operation, esp by making reconnaissance

Word History and Origins

Origin of advance guard¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

The shock troops of DOGE, at the Social Security Administration and myriad other federal agencies, were the advance guard in perhaps the most dramatic transformation of the U.S. government since the New Deal.

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O’Sullivan also salivated at the idea of California leaving “imbecile and distracted” Mexico and joining the U.S., adding, “The Anglo-Saxon foot is already on its borders. Already the advance guard of the irresistible army of Anglo-Saxon emigration has begun to pour down upon it, armed with the plough and the rifle.”

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The Kenyans are the advance guard core of a UN-mandated, multinational force that will seek to restore peace to Haiti.

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At Documenta, ruangrupa first did what it always does: dispatch an advance guard and set up a ruruhouse, or ruruHaus, to be locally specific.

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Summer thunderstorms in the Washington area are generally transient events, sweeping across city and suburb from the north or west, following an advance guard of darkening skies.

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Related Words

• forefront 
• front line 
• vanguard