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
Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Baldy bared his big, yellow teeth and sank them into Donna’s flank.
—Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026
That leaves room for all sorts of brainstorming, including Aitken’s curiosity about flanking the development with high-rise residential buildings, similar to the condominiums that have risen next to Petco Park in San Diego.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
Along our left flank was a line of bamboos.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Baldy bared his big, yellow teeth and sank them into Donna’s flank.
—Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Verb
The main staircase in the center of the lobby—a replica of the original from the early 1800s—is flanked by a grand piano on one side and a cozy reading nook on the other.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026
That leaves room for all sorts of brainstorming, including Aitken’s curiosity about flanking the development with high-rise residential buildings, similar to the condominiums that have risen next to Petco Park in San Diego.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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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