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
Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
This self-winding movement chimes on demand, on two classic gongs, the hour, quarters, and minutes elapsed since the last quarter all by a simple press of the slide-piece set into the left flank of the case.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
The legislation represents a major compromise from Johnson, who eschewed calls from the far-right flank of the GOP conference to slash federal spending or add controversial policy provisions that Democrats and some Republicans reject.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Commanded by Major Charles W. Whittlesey, these tired, cold and hungry soldiers were fulfilling orders to push forward even if their flanks were not covered.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
But, others say, Johnson risks boxing himself into the same predicament his predecessor faced — by allowing his hard-right flank to dictate the starting point of negotiations without leaving room to make concessions.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
The Spanish arrived in the 17th century, followed by the Dutch, who operated a branch of the East India Company on the island’s western flank until they were forced out by the Ming general Koxinga and by the Indigenous Wu-lao-wan tribe, which defended its territory fiercely.
—Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2023
When one of the volcano's flanks slipped, the effect was like uncorking a bottle of champagne: The sudden release of pressure allowed the gas in the magma system to expand, resulting in a huge explosion.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Scalise's announcement late Thursday came amid mounting opposition to his candidacy from the fractured GOP conference's right flank, effectively preventing him from being able to secure the 217 votes needed to win the gavel in a vote on the House floor.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2023
Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
The samurai Mizu stands backed up to the edge of a seaside cliff, flanked by four master swordsman known as the Four Fangs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
French tips in autumnal shades are flanked by solid midnight blue polish, an unexpected and impactful touch.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2023
The tomb just within the high cemetery gates of the Panteón Municipal de Pátzcuaro, flanked by sunflowers in twin blue vases, holds all that can be found of Ulises Anwar Ayala Andrade.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Beador addressed the issue flanked by fellow cast members Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Durrow, Jennifer Pedant, Taylor Armstrong and Vicki Gunvalson.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023
To top it off, the sundeck sports a 10-foot Jacuzzi flanked by sun pads.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2023
Her life was, for a time, quintessentially Southern, flanked by the twin pillars of family and faith.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
The interior is pretty radical, with a yoke steering wheel flanked by rectangular displays and a narrow dashboard.
—Daniel Golson, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2023
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Noun
But House Speaker Mike Johnson isn't facing similar public threats from the right flank of his party.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
This self-winding movement chimes on demand, on two classic gongs, the hour, quarters, and minutes elapsed since the last quarter all by a simple press of the slide-piece set into the left flank of the case.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
The legislation represents a major compromise from Johnson, who eschewed calls from the far-right flank of the GOP conference to slash federal spending or add controversial policy provisions that Democrats and some Republicans reject.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Commanded by Major Charles W. Whittlesey, these tired, cold and hungry soldiers were fulfilling orders to push forward even if their flanks were not covered.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
But, others say, Johnson risks boxing himself into the same predicament his predecessor faced — by allowing his hard-right flank to dictate the starting point of negotiations without leaving room to make concessions.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
The Spanish arrived in the 17th century, followed by the Dutch, who operated a branch of the East India Company on the island’s western flank until they were forced out by the Ming general Koxinga and by the Indigenous Wu-lao-wan tribe, which defended its territory fiercely.
—Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2023
When one of the volcano's flanks slipped, the effect was like uncorking a bottle of champagne: The sudden release of pressure allowed the gas in the magma system to expand, resulting in a huge explosion.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Scalise's announcement late Thursday came amid mounting opposition to his candidacy from the fractured GOP conference's right flank, effectively preventing him from being able to secure the 217 votes needed to win the gavel in a vote on the House floor.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2023
Verb
That much was evident at this week’s APEC event, which was flanked by multiple protests—some even attempted to block attendees from entering the venue, and others shut down traffic on the nearby Bay Bridge.
—Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
The samurai Mizu stands backed up to the edge of a seaside cliff, flanked by four master swordsman known as the Four Fangs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
French tips in autumnal shades are flanked by solid midnight blue polish, an unexpected and impactful touch.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2023
The tomb just within the high cemetery gates of the Panteón Municipal de Pátzcuaro, flanked by sunflowers in twin blue vases, holds all that can be found of Ulises Anwar Ayala Andrade.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Beador addressed the issue flanked by fellow cast members Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Durrow, Jennifer Pedant, Taylor Armstrong and Vicki Gunvalson.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023
To top it off, the sundeck sports a 10-foot Jacuzzi flanked by sun pads.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2023
Her life was, for a time, quintessentially Southern, flanked by the twin pillars of family and faith.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
The interior is pretty radical, with a yoke steering wheel flanked by rectangular displays and a narrow dashboard.
—Daniel Golson, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of flank was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing flank
Dictionary Entries Near flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on flank
Nglish: Translation of flank for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flank for Arabic Speakers
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