flank

noun

\ ˈflaŋk

Definition of flank

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

flank

verb

flanked; flanking; flanks

Definition of flank (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about flank

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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: Noun

Berhalter has attempted to solve the great Pulisic position question by asking him to impact games both centrally and from the left flank. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "Christian Pulisic Thrives in Greater Role in USA's Run to Gold Cup Final," 6 July 2019 The usual patchwork of prim green fields is receding from the flanks of Pueblo Llano’s imposing, sunbathed mountains as farmers retreat closer to the only gas station in the hope of gaining an advantage. — Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, "A Fuel Shortage Is Crippling Agriculture in Venezuela," 6 July 2019 The Yanks went 4-1-4-1 against England, an alignment that helped generate offense from the flanks and out of the back. — Frank Dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "US experience will count in Women’s World Cup final," 6 July 2019 All communities on the flanks of the volcano should be prepared. — Reuters, The Mercury News, "Alert level raised at Hawaiian volcano Mauna Loa," 2 July 2019 Pulisic cut in from a flank and crossed, and McKennie headed in the ball from 4 yards for his second goal in 12 international appearances. — Dave Zeitlin, Houston Chronicle, "U.S. beats Curacao, advances to Gold Cup semifinals," 30 June 2019 Beyond the meadows, the trail begins a mild climb on the flanks of Pat Mullen Mountain. — Mare Czinar, azcentral, "Arizona hike: Shady, easy-to-navigate forest trail leads to big mountain views," 21 June 2019 The show will feature my favorite hike, the 70-mile crossing of the Sierra Nevada, from the flank of Whitney across the Sierra Crest and Great Western Divide, to the foothills of the Sierra, as the first pioneers and trailblazers would have seen it. — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "On the trail of tracks, shadows and a wolf," 25 Mar. 2018 District 28 covers nine counties — including the eastern flank of Bexar — but the heart of its electorate is based in Webb County, which is dominated by Laredo. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Cuellar faces his first serious test in 14 years," 19 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Sitting in a treeless basin 30 miles north of Mammoth, Mono Lake is flanked on three sides by volcanic hills and mountains that kept the smoky haze at bay. — Doug Hansen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Warm-weather adventures at Mammoth," 26 June 2019 Within a somber court, flanked on one side by the offices of Paris’s most redoubtable police investigators and on the other by courts of justice, stands an oasis of exquisite beauty, a little church known as the Sainte Chapelle. — Bruce Dale, National Geographic, "Adored, neglected, and restored: A 1968 Nat Geo feature explored Notre Dame," 17 Apr. 2019 Harry was flanked on stage by his father, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and his new bride. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "Prince Harry Just Got Upstaged By Audacious Bee at His Dad's 70th Birthday Garden Party," 22 May 2018 The site is flanked on the west by Avon, Plainfield and Mooresville and on the east by Decatur and Wayne Townships. — Andrew Clark, Indianapolis Star, "New development at old Indianapolis airport site: What we know," 25 Apr. 2018 While that specific number doesn’t tell the entire story because of the numerous assist opportunities that weren’t finished and the not-so-talented teammates that flanked him, guys rolled their eyes at some of Sexton’s decision-making last season. — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers see Darius Garland and Collin Sexton forming dangerous backcourt similar to Portland Trail Blazers," 21 June 2019 With Matt Olson and Semien flanking him, Profar’s fallen seamlessly into a defensive routine that’s not only kept him near error-free, but also allowed him to make hit-saving plays. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Real talk with A’s Profar: ‘When I try, I suck’ … ‘I’m fighting myself every night’," 20 June 2019 Gone are the bleachers that once flanked the area, a move that opened up the location. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Uline Warehouse Stage: A touch of the Northwoods at Summerfest," 20 June 2019 In coach Jill Ellis’ preferred 4-3-3 formation, Morgan is flanked by Megan Rapinoe on the left and Tobin Heath on the right. — Jonathan Tannenwald, https://www.inquirer.com, "Meet the 23 players on the U.S. national women’s soccer team for the 2019 World Cup," 4 June 2019

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.