/van"gahrd'/ , n.
1. the foremost division or the front part of an army; advance guard; van.
2. the forefront in any movement, field, activity, or the like.
3. the leaders of any intellectual or political movement.
4. ( cap. ) Rocketry. a U.S. three-stage, satellite-launching rocket, the first two stages powered by liquid-propellant engines and the third by a solid-propellant engine.
[ 1480-90; earlier van ( d ) gard ( e ) avangarde, var. of AVANT-GARDE; see AVAUNT, GUARD ]