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

On the flank of Mount Tam, this is a landmark stone bench and lookout perch set at 2,040 feet, above the fog layer. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "’Tis the season for ‘Dancing with Fog’," 12 July 2018 Lozano reveled in the space left for him on Mexico's left flank and was a constant threat on the counterattack. — James Ellingsworth, star-telegram, "Did that just happen? Mexico stuns defending champion Germany in World Cup upset," 17 June 2018 Weah, 18, gave props to the player who started his goal sequence by springing Antonee Robinson for a dash down the left flank. — Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com, "What to watch in U.S. men's national team games at Ireland and France," 1 June 2018 They have been replaced on the opposite flank by an influx of commentators previously deemed too kooky or racist: Alex Jones, Bill Mitchell, Milo Yiannopoulos, and the alt-right crowd. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Gangster Morality of Anti-Anti-Trumpism," 30 May 2018 While May Day was mainly a left-leaning event in Denmark, the right and the left flanks held speeches in Sweden and Norway. — Fox News, "Workers, activists mark May Day with defiant rallies," 1 May 2018 Perisic provided a relentless threat to Gareth Southgate’s team, with his powerful and purposeful runs down the left flank and at the heart of England’s defence causing consistent problems throughout the latter stages of the match. — SI.com, "Injury Threatens to Rule Star Ivan Perisic Out of Croatia's World Cup Final Meeting With France," 13 July 2018 As conservative commentator Scott Jennings writes, Trump may like the idea of Justice Clarence Thomas, a black conservative, and an Indian American conservative holding down the court's right flank. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, "The best argument for and against each Trump Supreme Court candidate," 5 July 2018 Near the 4-mile point, a set of switchbacks takes on the southeast flanks of the mountain. — Mare Czinar, azcentral, "Flagstaff hike: Rogers Trail hike is a lovely walk in the woods," 5 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The defense also should stay solid with Sergio Ramos playing alongside Raphael Varane, flanked by Dani Carvajal and Marcelo. — Tales Azzoni, chicagotribune.com, "Real Madrid prepare for life without Ronaldo," 11 July 2018 Nearby, the researchers also found skulls apparently stuck together with mortar—remnants of one of the towers flanking the tzompantli, where most skulls once exhibited on its posts ended their postmortem journey. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "Feeding the gods: Hundreds of skulls reveal massive scale of human sacrifice in Aztec capital," 21 June 2018 In the order, which Mr. Trump signed while flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, the president also instructed the Pentagon to make facilities available for the housing and care of immigrant families. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Trump Retreats After Fury Over Border Separations," 20 June 2018 Finding new receivers to flank Juwan Johnson, who had 701 yards and one TD among his 54 catches, will be critical for McSorley to replicate last year’s success. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State football predictions 2018: Week 7 at Penn State," 30 May 2018 Trump signed a full posthumous pardon for Johnson while flanked by boxing royalty including Lennox Lewis, Deontay Wilder and Rocky himself, actor Sylvester Stallone. — Derek Wallbank, Bloomberg.com, "Trump, With Sylvester Stallone Alongside Him, Pardons Jack Johnson," 24 May 2018 Alexis Preston and Jay Patel, who live near Houston, exchanged vows while flanked by Disney’s Major Domo character, herald trumpeters, a string quartet, about 50 friends and family members and, appropriately enough, the theme park’s Partners statue. — Dewayne Bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney: Contest winners tie knot on live TV, in front of Cinderella Castle," 10 May 2018 Like the Zócalo, this central meeting point is flanked by iconic buildings and noteworthy museum, but the main attraction is the opulent Palacio de Bellas Artes. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Mexico City," 16 Apr. 2018 The disgraced movie mogul, 66, was filmed and photographed arriving at the police station flanked by uniformed police officers and with a limp. — Kate Samuelson, Time, "These Are the Books Harvey Weinstein Was Carrying When He Was Arrested," 30 July 2017

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.