vanguard

/ˈvænɡɑːd/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈænɡˌɑrd] /ˈvænɡɑːrd/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈænɡˌɑrd] /ˈvan-ˌgärd How to pronounce vanguard (audio) also ˈvaŋ-/ (ame, mw)

vanguard — noun

1. the people, ideas, or work that move first when new ways are being developed in

1.名詞C1
釋義

the people, ideas, or work that move first when new ways are being developed in a field, or the leading place they hold there

例句

Naoko's lab stayed in the vanguard of low-cost battery design in Japan.

in the vanguard of [research field]

Small community groups formed the vanguard of the city's recycling campaign.

form the vanguard of + movement

同義詞
  • forefront

    more common for the leading position itself in general writing

  • spearhead

    emphasises the group or force driving action forward

  • avant-garde

    strongest in art and culture; suggests bold experimentation

反義詞
  • rearguard

    the people or position that follows behind instead of leading

文法句型

in the vanguard of [field/change]

at the vanguard of [industry/style]

the vanguard of [movement/campaign]

用法筆記

Usually appears in formal writing with 'in the vanguard of' or 'at the vanguard of'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is mostly figurative and is used for change, art, politics, or research rather than soldiers.

常見錯誤

❌The company is a vanguard of green energy.
✅The company is in the vanguard of green energy.
💡this sense usually appears in the fixed phrase 'in the vanguard of'.

2. the troops or ships that travel in front of the main force and are first to meet

2.名詞C1
釋義

the troops or ships that travel in front of the main force and are first to meet the enemy or other danger

例句

The general sent the vanguard across the river before dawn.

send the vanguard ahead

Smoke rose as the vanguard entered the town ahead of the main army.

the vanguard + entered [place]

同義詞
  • advance guard

    the most direct military equivalent; more transparent in modern English

  • spearhead

    more metaphorical; stresses the attacking edge of a force

反義詞
  • rearguard

    the troops kept at the back of the main force

文法句型

the vanguard of [army/fleet]

send the vanguard ahead

the vanguard entered [place]

用法筆記

Usually refers to the leading soldiers or ships as a group, not to the battlefield place itself. Distinguish from sense 1, which is figurative and usually refers to ideas, movements, or fields of work.