Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Old French
Origin: avangarde, from avant-garde; AVANT-GARDE

vanguard

 noun
     
van‧guard
1

in/at the vanguard (of something)

in the most advanced position of development:
The shop has always been in the vanguard of London fashion trends.
2

the vanguard

PM the leading position at the front of an army or group of ships moving into battle, or the soldiers who are in this position
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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