1. (noun)avant-garde, vanguard, van, new wave any creative groupactive in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a givenfield (especially in the arts)
2. (noun)vanguard, van the leading units moving at the head of an army
3. (noun)van (Great Britain) a closed railroad car that carries baggage or freight
4. (noun)van, caravan a camper equipped with living quarters