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
Ellie Cook — Reporting From Rovajärvi, Northern Finland, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Despite these provisions, which were largely a win for the party’s right flank, their moderate counterparts still lined up to support the bill.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 23 May 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The historic landmark sits on 10th St. NW in The District, and it’s flanked by new, pretty buildings up and down the avenue.
—Mac Engel
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
Parts of the plan were to split Russia's Western Military District—close to NATO's eastern flank—into two districts, Moscow and Leningrad, and to grow the size of the military.
—Ellie Cook — Reporting From Rovajärvi, Northern Finland, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Despite these provisions, which were largely a win for the party’s right flank, their moderate counterparts still lined up to support the bill.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 23 May 2025
Verb
His arrival into Saudi airspace was flanked by an escort of F-15 fighter jets, landing at the King Khalid International Airport Royal Terminal to an awaiting lavender carpet lined by riders on Arabian horses, guards in regalia and a live band.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The historic landmark sits on 10th St. NW in The District, and it’s flanked by new, pretty buildings up and down the avenue.
—Mac Engel
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 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 29 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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