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 Phrases Containing flank Learn More About flank

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 And so yeah, just your typical flank view shot can be pretty nondescript. — Ashleigh Papp, Scientific American, 24 June 2022 Meanwhile Republicans are continuing to tie Democrats to the movement to defund the police in the hopes of magnifying rhetoric from the party’s left flank to frame candidates as too liberal. — Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 15 June 2022 On the other flank, Marcus Epps has managed just a goal and an assist in 966 minutes. — Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2022 Cuellar, who has become an increasingly vocal critic of progressives the past couple of years, has accused the party’s left flank of alienating voters in South Texas, where the GOP has made gains in recent elections. — Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2022 Salt River Vaulters start their beginners with compulsory exercises including vault-on, flag, stand and flank, moves that can help the athletes’ physical and mental growth. — Mary Grace Grabill, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 His ability to operate down the right flank, or the halfspace on that side, in support of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold led to some of his best and most consistent performances for the club. — James Nalton, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021 Officials in Beijing worry that extremists could use Afghanistan to regroup on China’s flank and sow violence around the region, even as the Taliban look to deep-pocketed countries like China for aid and investment. — BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2021 Officials in Beijing worry that extremists could use Afghanistan to regroup on China’s flank and sow violence around the region, even as the Taliban look to deep-pocketed countries like China for aid and investment. — New York Times, 18 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Across the room, two demilune chests flank the entrance, with two identical mirrors above them, reflecting the herons. — Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2022 The pair of ePerformance test cars flank the Mission R concept. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 16 May 2022 Commerce focuses on a small strip where a barber shop and a liquor store flank a convenience store where residents can get snack foods, buy lottery tickets and fill their cars with gasoline. — Tom Foreman Jr., USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2022 In its wake, the hurricane destroyed the vast majority of mangrove forests that flank Mosquito Bay and other parts of Puerto Rico’s coastline. — Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Apr. 2022 The pair of 8-meter-long sphinxes flank the entrance to a processional avenue, which celebrants would have followed from the main part of the temple to a columned courtyard. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2022 The dry forests of Bolivia, which flank the eastern Andes with shrubs and dense thicket, are critically endangered. — Nell Lewis, CNN, 18 Jan. 2022 The Russian army moved to flank Grozny on three sides and unleashed a terrifying onslaught of air and artillery strikes on the city. — New York Times, 29 Mar. 2022 It was rationalized as wanting a veteran presence to flank Wood on the frontline. — Rahat Huq, Chron, 11 Feb. 2022 See More

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.