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

Time and again, City's pace on the flanks caused West Ham problems and, in particular, Kyle Walker getting behind Aaron Cresswell. — SI.com, "Mark Noble: Why the West Ham Captain Is Still Key to Hammers Success," 11 Sep. 2019 Determined to avoid such a tragedy, Dr. Moran and his colleagues proposed installing new instruments on the flanks of Mount Hood in 2014. — Shannon Hall, New York Times, "We’re Barely Listening to the U.S.’s Most Dangerous Volcanoes," 9 Sep. 2019 Martinez attacked from the midfield then passed the ball ahead to Elis on the flank. — Houston Chronicle, "Dynamo end three-game skid with home win over Red Bulls," 4 July 2019 The Seattle Sounders star bundled home the USA’s only goal with his chest, and was active all evening on the left flank, stretching the Uruguayans and providing a valuable and threatening outlet. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "For USMNT, Two Very Different Friendlies With One Set of Prevalent Themes," 11 Sep. 2019 But with the tighter areas on the flanks, wingers such as Cristian Penilla and Diego Fagundez, and even midfield playmaker Carles Gil, will need to be better on the ball in smaller spaces. — Dan Shulman, BostonGlobe.com, "Revolution’s keys to victory against NYCFC," 6 Sep. 2019 Otherwise, the rolling hillsides have served as a stark but scenic backdrop along Concord’s eastern flank, part of the topographical ascent to Mount Diablo, the Bay Area’s highest peak. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "Concord weapons station has fraught history, but development concept has promise," 3 Sep. 2019 As the video begins, Armstrong could see the aim point was on the rocky northeastern flank of West crater (190 meters [623 feet] diameter), causing him to take manual control and fly horizontally, searching for a safe landing spot. — Fox News, "Apollo 11: What Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin saw during dramatic Moon landing," 19 July 2019 This attitude will put her in conflict with some member states, in particular in Europe’s eastern and southern flanks, which see Brussels as an intrusive foreign power challenging their sovereignty. — New York Times, "First Woman Chosen for Top E.U. Job Wins Confirmation," 16 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But to get to a general election face-off with Trump, Biden will have to overcome the two progressive senators, Warren and Sanders, who flanked him on the stage. — BostonGlobe.com, "And Biden, 76, even gained some sympathy after a roundly criticized attack by Julián Castro that questioned the former vice president’s memory.," 14 Sep. 2019 The park is currently only accessible down a gravel road and flanked on one side by a private residence and on the other by the Foundry property. — Kathleen Mcwilliams, courant.com, "Park to be dedicated to Rocky Hill’s first female mayor Barbara Surwilo," 27 Aug. 2019 Older sister Isobel, a composer whose work includes the gnarring metal guitar and ethereal choral work of the Fleabag score, and younger brother Jasper, a music manager transitioning into production, flank her by only a few years on either side. — Michael O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, "From 'Fleabag' to James Bond and Beyond: Phoebe Waller-Bridge on Death and Her Secret New Movie," 14 Aug. 2019 Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, who will flank him on stage next Wednesday night. — Los Angeles Times, "Impeachment, always a longshot, fades in wake of Mueller hearing," 26 July 2019 Street canyons, roads flanked on both sides by high buildings, create shade but also have less exposure to the sky and less chance for heat to be transferred away into the surrounding air. — The Economist, "Heatwaves like that being experienced in America are more dangerous in cities," 21 July 2019 Along the way, unpaved roads wind through looming mountains, flanked by turquoise rivers and the seemingly endless General Carrera Lake. — Pascale Bonnefoy, New York Times, "With 10 Million Acres in Patagonia, a National Park System Is Born," 19 Feb. 2018 Across town, a Tunisian rapper flanked by dancers in red hoodies wowed an audience before the arrival of yet another candidate, the country’s defense minister. — Ben Hubbard, New York Times, "Tunisia Votes for a President as It Struggles to Build Democracy," 15 Sep. 2019 In the absence of both Messi and Suarez, €120m summer signing Antoine Griezmann has been leading the line, flanked by Rafinha, who has left for a loan at Celta Vigo since the most recent game, and 21-year-old Barcelona B graduate Carles Perez. — SI.com, "Injury Update on Lionel Messi Ahead of Barcelona's La Liga Clash With Valencia," 11 Sep. 2019

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.