Military term for a small unit sent ahead of the main force to scout or secure a position.
The advance guard scouted the enemy position.
Figurative extension: a person or group leading the way in a new field, movement, or trend.
He spread new technology as a pioneer in the industry.
Standard kanji spelling for both military and figurative senses.
Alternate kanji form; 先 suggests 'advance' more directly, but 尖兵 is more common.
Compound of 尖 (point, tip) and 兵 (soldier), literally 'point soldier'. The figurative sense developed from the military meaning.