1
a
: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip
b
: a cut of meat from this part of an animal see beef illustration
2
a
: side
the eastern flank of a volcano
b
: the right or left of a formation
attacked the enemy on both flanks
3
: the area along either side of a heraldic shield
flanked; flanking; flanks
1
a
: to be situated at the side of
especially
: to be situated on both sides of
a road flanked with linden trees
b
: to place something on each side of
a design that flanks the door with windows
2
: to protect a flank of
3
: to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)
Examples of flank in a Sentence
Noun
She gently patted the horse's flank.
They attacked the enemy on both flanks.
the eastern flank of a volcano
Verb
the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Several countries contributed extra fighter jets to the eastern flank, close to Russia, after the incursions.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
After their dinner at Kkanbu Chicken, the three leaders headed to Nvidia’s GeForce Gamer Festival, where Huang – flanked by Lee and Chung – promised to make a big announcement at the APEC summit on Friday.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
Front-foot defending and slick attacking interplay, especially on the left flank, has been the blueprint over the past few seasons, but there are signs of evolution.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Several countries contributed extra fighter jets to the eastern flank, close to Russia, after the incursions.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
During her performance, Perry memorably sang while flanked by two backup dancers dressed up as sharks.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
After their dinner at Kkanbu Chicken, the three leaders headed to Nvidia’s GeForce Gamer Festival, where Huang – flanked by Lee and Chung – promised to make a big announcement at the APEC summit on Friday.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flank
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip
b
: a cut of meat from this part of an animal
2
b
: the right or left of a military formation
flank
2 of 2 verb1
: to be located at the side of : border
2
: to protect a flank of
3
: to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)
Medical Definition
flank
noun
: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip
broadly
: the side of a quadruped
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