vanguard

4 definitions • 2 examples

the part of an army or navy that leads an attack on an enemy

a group of people who lead the development of new ideas, or a leading position in the development of something:

He is in the vanguard of economic reform.

the front part of a group of people who are moving forward, esp. an army

The vanguard is also the people who are making changes or new developments in something:

These craftspeople are in the vanguard in the art of modern furniture design.