flank

noun \ ˈflaŋk \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: flank in a Sentence

Definition of flank

1 a : the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip; broadly : the side of a quadruped

She gently patted the horse's flank.

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

See flank defined for English-language learners

See flank defined for kids

Examples of flank in a Sentence

She gently patted the horse's flank.
They attacked the enemy on both flanks.
the eastern flank of a volcano

Recent Examples of flank from the Web

The Spine Trail follows a west-to-east subridge that climbs and meets the north-south flank of Montara Mountain.

— tom stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "’Tis the season for ‘Dancing with Fog’," 12 July 2018
While Emmanuel Ledesma often occupies the right flank, his positioning has seen him drift further up the field as a second forward to Danni Konig or Emery Welshman.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati winger position battle among most fierce for USL minutes and MLS hopes," 20 June 2018
Elk Grove’s south side The SouthEast Connector Expressway group also won $7 million to expand Grant Line Road between Bradshaw and Waterman roads on Elk Grove's southern flank, as well as $3 million to rehab Kammerer Road west of Highway 99.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Here's what your gas tax hike will fund in the Sacramento area - if voters don't repeal," 12 June 2018
If that meant a Governor Marc Molinaro, well, Andrew Cuomo would have no one to blame but himself for attacking the progressive flank of his own coalition.

— david freedlander, Daily Intelligencer, "Working Families Party Mulls All-out War With Cuomo," 7 June 2018
For deer, try the western flank of Mount Burdell in Marin.

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mama fox and her 5 pups teach a wildlife lesson," 29 Apr. 2018
In each of them, a moderate GOP governor who was elected in 2010 – Rick Snyder, Kasich and Brian Sandoval – opted to expand Medicaid over the opposition of their right flank.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: GOP candidates caught in a bind on Medicaid," 13 July 2018
Photo: Gede Ardiasa/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The nearly 10,000-foot Mount Agung has been active since last September, when a series of eruptions drove more than 130,000 people from its flanks.

— ben otto, WSJ, "Bali Airport Reopens After Volcanic Ash Clears," 29 June 2018
The corridor is sandwiched between the heavily militarized Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow’s ally Belarus, and is considered NATO’s weak spot on its eastern flank.

— eric schmitt, New York Times, "In Eastern Europe, U.S. Military Girds Against Russian Might and Manipulation," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flank.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flank

Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flank Synonyms

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

flank

verb

Definition of flank

flanked; flanking; flanks

transitive verb

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)

See flank defined for English-language learners

Examples of flank in a Sentence

the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line

Recent Examples of flank from the Web

Back then the highway outside Bama was littered with land mines and flanked by largely vacant villages occupied or used by Boko Haram as bases to spring attacks.

— New York Times, "A Homecoming for Nigerians Who Fled Militants. All That’s Missing Is the ‘Home.’," 10 July 2018
Among the property’s movie star-worthy niceties are two 75-foot long pools, which are connected by an over-water walkway and flanked by eight cabanas and an organic juice bar.

— jenna gottlieb, Vogue, "The Hottest Hotel Pools to Cool Down In This Summer," 21 June 2018
Clad in a black suit, tie and shiny loafers, Love was flanked by activists, his girlfriend and two attorneys, including Brian Dunn.

— benjamin oreskes, latimes.com, "Actor says racial profiling led to his wrongful detainment by sheriff's deputies," 13 June 2018
Mussolini was toppled, flanked by a separate armistice with the U.S. Realism is a winner, this tale whispers.

— josef joffe, WSJ, "Italy’s Populist Flirtation Won’t Last," 3 June 2018
Manny Wong, president, CEO and owner of Fullei Fresh, is flanked by his daughter Olivia Wong, left, and Silvia Wong, his wife.

— joseph a. mann jr., miamiherald, "Fullei Fresh puts sprouts on your table | Miami Herald," 17 May 2018
Osili on Thursday stood outside City Market flanked by some council Democrats and Republicans.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "Vop Osili: After Aaron Bailey decision, it's time to be 'silent and listen'," 17 May 2018
There were cheers and shouts of jubilation outside the hospital as a smiling Anwar appeared, flanked by large numbers of police and security officials.

— anuradha raghu, Bloomberg.com, "Malaysia's Anwar Pardoned, Paving Way for Return to Politics," 16 May 2018
After Noa and Ross walked down the aisle flanked by their parents, April Hail, Ross’s senior prom date, officiated while six months pregnant in a custom pale mint green chiffon Grecian gown designed by Kini Zamora.

— alexandra macon, Vogue, "Inside a Greenery-Filled Hawaiian Wedding—Where the Bridesmaids Wore Power Suits," 13 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of flank

see ¹flank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flank Synonyms

Synonyms

abut, adjoin, border (on), butt (on or against), fringe, join, march (with), neighbor, skirt, touch, verge (on);

bound, embrace, encircle, enclose (also inclose), fence, line, margin, rim, surround;

contact, converge, meet;

FLANK Defined for English Language Learners

flank

noun

Definition of flank for English Language Learners

: the area on the side of an animal (such as a horse) between the ribs and the hip
: the right or left side of a military formation
: the side of something