flank

noun \ ˈflaŋk \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

Keep driving north on Route 4, past the village center, and the Momentive complex flanks both sides of the road, sprawling across an 800-acre plot.

— ian frisch, Longreads, "The Strike: Chemicals, Cancer, and the Fight for Health Care," 16 Apr. 2018
There’s nice camping at Rockhound State Park, on the northeast flank of the Floridas, as well as fairly reliable ibex viewing in nearby Spring Canyon.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "Believe It or Not, You Can Safari in New Mexico," 16 Apr. 2018
The conflicts have escalated at a time of high tension on Turkey’s southeastern flank, along its border with Syria.

— niki kitsantonis, New York Times, "Greek Fighter Jet Crashes After Encounter With Turkish Aircraft, Officials Say," 12 Apr. 2018
The Spaniard, who has played for Espanyol and Real Madrid in his home country, can operate on either flank and is an excellent passer.

— SI.com, "AC Milan Eyeing Move for Star Napoli Winger in a Bid to Please Defender Leonardo Bonucci," 12 Apr. 2018
The right and centrist flanks could soon break into open hostilities.

— philip elliott, Time, "Paul Ryan's Unexpected Exit Is a Warning Sign for Republicans," 11 Apr. 2018
Those changes were a big upgrade from the surface parking lots that used to blight the ballpark’s western flank.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "New hotel stylishly complements Wrigley Field, but can’t match its authenticity," 6 Apr. 2018
But there is another flank in the battle to make sure all children have a real chance at a rich and happy future.

— christine m. flowers, Philly.com, "The Philly woman who is determined to make adoptions more inclusive | Christine Flowers," 8 Mar. 2018
After Karzai’s guerrillas fended off a small-arms attack on the town’s rear flank, the battle was won.

— michael ames, Newsweek, "Why Is the FBI Trying to Bury a Special Forces War Hero?," 2 Sep. 2015

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

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

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

He was also flanked by women dressed like Vegas showgirls.

— lorraine ali, latimes.com, "NBC's 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live' shouldn't have worked. Here's why it did," 2 Apr. 2018
He is flanked by new Charlotte athletic director Mike Hill (left) and the school's chancellor, Philip Dubois.

— scott fowler, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte 49ers basketball coach Ron Sanchez: 4 things I like, one that I don’t | Charlotte Observer," 28 Mar. 2018
The stunning sparkler is made up of three diamonds, with one large stone in the center flanked by two smaller stones on the sides.

— simon perry, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan Markle Shows Off Engagement Ring and Recalls Harry's 'Romantic' Proposal," 23 Mar. 2018
In the Syrian Kurds’ eastern strongholds, which stretch from Manbij to the Iraqi border (see map), they are flanked by as many as 2,000 American troops.

— The Economist, "After taking Afrin, Turkey looks for new targets in Syria," 22 Mar. 2018
He was flanked by members of law enforcement and at one point allowed the parents of a man who died of an overdose to speak onstage about their son, who became addicted to drugs after taking a prescription opioid and later died of an overdose.

— john wagner, Washington Post, "In N.H., Trump pledges to ‘get tough’ on drug crime, unveils opioid epidemic plan," 19 Mar. 2018
It was flanked by smaller signs depicting the school’s logo and the hashtag #MSDStrong.

— Time, "Stoneman Douglas Alumni Light Up Times Square With Tribute to Florida Shooting Victims," 7 Mar. 2018
Cardi also attended Christian Siriano’s 10th anniversary show on Saturday, where she was flanked by Siriano’s husband, Brad Walsh, and actress Molly Shannon.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "Cardi B and Offset Shared a Special Moment at New York Fashion Week," 12 Feb. 2018
When the famed suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst appeared in public to campaign for women’s right to vote, she was flanked by an army of club-wielding female bodyguards.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Stories of Forgotten Suffragettes Come Alive in New Exhibition," 6 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of flank

see ¹flank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

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