vanguard
USVAN-gard/ˈvænˌɡɑɹd/UKVAN-gahd/ˈvanˌɡɑːd/
Pluralvanguards
- 1The people who lead the way in a group or new movement.
Like the people walking at the very front of a parade.
Young activists formed the vanguard of the climate movement.
She stood in the vanguard of the fight for fair pay.
Similaravant-garde, spearhead, forefront, van
Oppositerearguard
Note
- 2The soldiers or ships at the front of an army or fleet, leading the way.
Like the first group of people leading a long march, going ahead of everyone else.
The vanguard reached the river hours before the rest of the army.
Scouts in the vanguard warned the troops about the ambush ahead.
Oppositerearguard
Note
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Origin
It comes from Old French avan(t)garde, meaning 'before guard'. It is related to the words avant-garde and vaward.