vanguard
Vanguard (noun) means the foremost part of an advancing army, fleet, or group. Example: “Scouts rode ahead of the vanguard to check the road for ambushes.”
How to Use Vanguard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe vanguard is whoever or whatever is out in front — leading the charge, whether that's literally an army or figuratively a movement.
Word Forms
vanguards plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Scouts rode ahead of the _____ to check the road for ambushes.
Etymology
From Old French avant-garde, literally "before guard" — the part of a force that goes ahead of the main body. It's a doublet of the French loanword avant-garde, used today for pioneering artists and ideas.
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Rhymes for vanguard
See all rhymes for vanguard →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “vanguard” mean?
The word “vanguard” means the foremost part of an advancing army, fleet, or group. In plain terms, the vanguard is whoever or whatever is out in front — leading the charge, whether that's literally an army or figuratively a movement.
How do you pronounce “vanguard”?
“Vanguard” is pronounced VAN-gahd (/ˈvænˌɡɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “vanguard” in a sentence?
Here is “vanguard” used in a sentence: “Scouts rode ahead of the vanguard to check the road for ambushes.”
What part of speech is “vanguard”?
“Vanguard” is a noun.
Where does the word “vanguard” come from?
The word “vanguard” comes from Old French. From Old French avant-garde, literally "before guard" — the part of a force that goes ahead of the main body. It's a doublet of the French loanword avant-garde, used today for pioneering artists and ideas.
Is “vanguard” a common word?
“Vanguard” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vanguard” have?
“Vanguard” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the foremost part of an advancing army, fleet, or group.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include vanguard: