Definition of VANGUARD

vanguard

Meanings

Plural: vanguards

Noun

  • the leading units moving at the head of an army
  • any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
  • the position of greatest importance or advancement; the leading position in any movement or field
  • The leading units at the front of an army or fleet.
  • The person(s) at the forefront of any group or movement.

Origin / Etymology

Earlier forms included vandgard and (a)vantgard with or without aphetism, derived from Old French avan(t)garde (“before guard”). Doublet of avant-garde and vaward.

Synonyms

advance guard, avant-garde, cutting edge, forefront, new wave, van

Antonyms

rearguard

Scrabble Score: 13

vanguard is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
vanguard is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
vanguard is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

vanguard is a valid Words With Friends word