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
2
: to protect a flank of
3
: to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)
Synonyms
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
Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
In what appears to be a move to placate his right flank, Johnson announced the House will also vote on a separate bill that resembles Republicans’ sweeping, hardline immigration and border legislation known as H.R. 2.
—USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
Put simply: Trump shifted his position in a way that will anger his right flank that has nowhere else to go and could soften Democrats’ grip on the female vote.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
But Johnson, amid fierce opposition from his far-right flank, has so far refused to bring the Senate package to a vote on the House floor.
—Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The Kremlin is emboldened to peel off, Ukraine-style, pro-Russian enclaves in nearby Georgia and Moldova, and then threaten NATO’s own eastern flank – Poland; the once-Soviet Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia; and Finland and Sweden.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024
The maneuver has become a vehicle for bipartisanship recently as a small group on the GOP's right flank threatens to hold up must-pass legislation, even on routine procedural votes.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
Temescal’s Clove and Hoof was originally a butcher shop selling Wagyu flank and housemade sausages – focusing on whole animals that are raised sustainably – with fridges overflowing with housemade sauces and rich stocks.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
With Marcos Alonso also often sidelined with his own knocks, the development has seen Xavi have to deploy right back Joao Cancelo on the opposite flank.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The exterior is home to an aperitif lounge and a spacious sundeck with an alfresco dining area, an observation zone, and a Jacuzzi flanked by sunbeds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
The brow guard sports a goddess-like figure flanked by lions.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
Milan’s mayor Beppe Sala, flanked by Naomi Campbell and the designers, cut the ribbon to roaring applause.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The plan still represents an addition of more than 980,000 square feet to the 25-acre site at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue that retains a suburban-style low-density appearance with soundstages, low-rise offices and support facilities flanked by asphalt parking lots.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Tables packed with auto industry executives and CEOs, flanked by a standing-room only crowd, kicked off the 2024 New York Auto Show as the industry gathered to learn which six cars would be named 2024 World Car Awards winners.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
But rather than be flanked by his teammates, the rest of the kicking team will line up at their opponent's 40-yard line, eliminating the traditional running head start.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
The presumptive Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump, stood inside 40 Wall Street, a building that bears his name, flanked by his extremely expensive lawyers, and proceeded to complain mightily that life is not fair.
—Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Johnson, however, has faced threats from his far right flank to oust him from his role should be move forward on additional funding to Ukraine.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
In what appears to be a move to placate his right flank, Johnson announced the House will also vote on a separate bill that resembles Republicans’ sweeping, hardline immigration and border legislation known as H.R. 2.
—USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
Put simply: Trump shifted his position in a way that will anger his right flank that has nowhere else to go and could soften Democrats’ grip on the female vote.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
But Johnson, amid fierce opposition from his far-right flank, has so far refused to bring the Senate package to a vote on the House floor.
—Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The Kremlin is emboldened to peel off, Ukraine-style, pro-Russian enclaves in nearby Georgia and Moldova, and then threaten NATO’s own eastern flank – Poland; the once-Soviet Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia; and Finland and Sweden.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024
The maneuver has become a vehicle for bipartisanship recently as a small group on the GOP's right flank threatens to hold up must-pass legislation, even on routine procedural votes.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
Temescal’s Clove and Hoof was originally a butcher shop selling Wagyu flank and housemade sausages – focusing on whole animals that are raised sustainably – with fridges overflowing with housemade sauces and rich stocks.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
With Marcos Alonso also often sidelined with his own knocks, the development has seen Xavi have to deploy right back Joao Cancelo on the opposite flank.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
The message from Zelensky, flanked by his team, was clear: Ukraine’s leadership is not going anywhere.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The exterior is home to an aperitif lounge and a spacious sundeck with an alfresco dining area, an observation zone, and a Jacuzzi flanked by sunbeds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
The brow guard sports a goddess-like figure flanked by lions.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
Milan’s mayor Beppe Sala, flanked by Naomi Campbell and the designers, cut the ribbon to roaring applause.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The plan still represents an addition of more than 980,000 square feet to the 25-acre site at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue that retains a suburban-style low-density appearance with soundstages, low-rise offices and support facilities flanked by asphalt parking lots.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Tables packed with auto industry executives and CEOs, flanked by a standing-room only crowd, kicked off the 2024 New York Auto Show as the industry gathered to learn which six cars would be named 2024 World Car Awards winners.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
But rather than be flanked by his teammates, the rest of the kicking team will line up at their opponent's 40-yard line, eliminating the traditional running head start.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
The presumptive Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump, stood inside 40 Wall Street, a building that bears his name, flanked by his extremely expensive lawyers, and proceeded to complain mightily that life is not fair.
—Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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