Noun

1. The vanguard of an army or other force.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book I.15:

     Lyonses and Pharyaunce had the aduant garde, and they two knyghtes mette with kyng Idres and his felauship, and there began a grete medele of brekyng of speres and smytynge of swerdys with sleynge of men and horses.

2. Any group of people who invent or promote new techniques or concepts, especially in the arts.

Adjective

1. Innovative, pioneering, especially when extremely or obviously so.

   It was a very avant-garde production.

Noun

1. Vanguard
2. Avant-garde