van ‧ guard /ˈvænɡɑːd $ -ɡɑːrd/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: avangarde , from avant-garde ; ⇨ ↑ avant-garde ]
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 the leading position at the front of an army or group of ships moving into battle, or the soldiers who are in this position