/ ˌævɒ͂ ˈgɑːd; NAmE ˌævɑ͂ː ˈgɑːrd/ noun (from French )
1.
[ sing. ] new and very modern ideas in art, music or literature that are sometimes surprising or shocking
2.
[ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] a group of artists, etc. who introduce new and very modern ideas
► avant-garde adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting the vanguard of an army): from French , literally vanguard . Current senses date from the early 20th cent.