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)
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
John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025
The White House has also thawed previously icy relations with the Kremlin, watched on with concern among NATO countries close to Russia that would rely on U.S. support for their militaries if Moscow did launch attacks on NATO's eastern flank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
My 15-minute ride from the airport zipped past fields of bamboo stalks to Rosewood Miyakojima, flanked by an ocean of distinct blues.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
The front door was broken down with a heavy sledge, while another flank busted through the back.
—John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025
The White House has also thawed previously icy relations with the Kremlin, watched on with concern among NATO countries close to Russia that would rely on U.S. support for their militaries if Moscow did launch attacks on NATO's eastern flank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
The life-sized, guitar-wielding cutout stood on a platform center stage, flanked by the choir Boone enlisted for the powerful rendition.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
My 15-minute ride from the airport zipped past fields of bamboo stalks to Rosewood Miyakojima, flanked by an ocean of distinct blues.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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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