vanguard

American  

[van-gahrd] / ˈvænˌgɑrd /

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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of vanguard

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

Example Sentences

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is the fresh face of America’s progressive vanguard, so his policy moves are worth watching.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2023 and 2024, the biggest stocks in the index — including members of the Magnificent Seven, a group of megacap stocks at the vanguard of the AI trade — did much of the heavy lifting.

From MarketWatch

Australia is at the vanguard of this rapid development, with Knight Frank ranking it in second place for investment in 2024 after the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the early years of the 20th century, Münter stood at the vanguard of European modernism.

From The Wall Street Journal

After four rounds of layoffs in two years that cut a quarter of its employees, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory now faces a daunting task: reclaiming its place at the vanguard of exploration and innovation.

From Los Angeles Times