advance-guard

The advance-guard moves cautiously through the forest.

Definition

Noun: A group or unit that moves ahead of the main body, especially in a military context, to prepare the way or provide protection.

Usage Examples

• (A forward group exploring ahead of the main troops.)
• (A team moving in front to remove obstacles.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as an advance-guard": to serve as a leading or pioneering group.

  • The research team acted as an advance-guard for the larger scientific mission. (They prepared the way for subsequent work.)

• "advance-guard of change": a group that introduces or pioneers new ideas or movements.

  • These artists were the advance-guard of modernism in the early 20th century. (They were the pioneers of a new artistic movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vanguard (n): the foremost part of an advancing army or movement; a synonym for advance-guard.

  • The vanguard of the protest marched at the front. (The leading group of the protest.)

• Rearguard (n): a group that protects the rear of an army, opposite of advance-guard.

  • The rearguard defended the retreating soldiers. (The group guarding the back.)

Synonyms

• Forerunner: a person or thing that comes before and indicates the approach of another.
• Pioneer: a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new area or idea.

Related Idioms

• "in the vanguard": at the forefront of a movement or development.

  • The company is in the vanguard of renewable energy technology. (It is leading the way in this field.)

• "to lead the charge": to be the first to take action or initiate something.

  • She led the charge for educational reform. (She was the pioneer of the reform effort.)