flank

noun \ ˈflaŋk \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: flank in a Sentence

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

The 19-year-old forward reacted swiftly from near the penalty spot in the 78th minute, turning in a cross from right back Benjamin Pavard after he was released down the right flank by forward Nabil Fekir.

— BostonGlobe.com, "US soccer team ties France in friendly," 9 June 2018
Here, before the fire, 100 houses lay scattered across the leeward flank of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

— kendra atleework, The Atlantic, "Power Lines Are Burning the West," 25 May 2018
The lava has been pouring down the flank of the volcano and into the ocean miles away.

— audrey mcavoy, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hawaii volcano generates blue flames from burning methane," 24 May 2018
In its buildup for the goal, Minnesota worked the right flank — and the left side of Sporting KC’s defense.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Sporting KC starting striker scores first goal in 2018, and club secures road draw | The Kansas City Star," 20 May 2018
That’s pushed the candidates to the flanks of each of their parties.

— greg bluestein, ajc, "Today is the last day of early voting in Georgia: Catch up on the governor’s race.," 18 May 2018
At the intellectual level, things look very different: Liberals compose the right flank, and leftists or socialists the more progressive wing.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Why Trump’s Assault on Democracy Doesn’t Bother the Illiberal Left," 16 May 2018
Congressional leaders such as House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) seem caught between the prospect of a largely sympathetic group of immigrants getting deported and the right flank of their party, which sees such protections as amnesty.

— amber phillips, Washington Post, "Yet again, Trump's border wall is blocking an immigration deal on 'dreamers'," 24 Jan. 2018
All the while, the workers kept their palms on her flank, face and the hump at the nape of her neck, to reassure her.

— jason florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

flanked; flanking; flanks

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

They will likely be flanked by Michael Murillo on the right and Eric Davis on the left.

— juan zamorano, chicagotribune.com, "World Cup Countdown: Debuting Panama aiming for honorable first World Cup," 7 June 2018
We were flanked by endless orange fields on the way to Bakersfield, followed by poplars and palms, this after the already powerful mix of sequoias.

— blake snow, latimes.com, "A SloCal road trip gives you a geographic, climatological super sampler," 20 May 2018
She and the other young actresses are flanked by a truly first-rate cast in this three-hour production that's being spread over two nights, including Emily Watson as their mother, along with Michael Gambon, Angela Lansbury and Dylan Baker.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Little Women' gets 21st-century makeover on 'Masterpiece'," 11 May 2018
She was flanked by a small group of community and union leaders.

— donna st. george, Washington Post, "NAACP, union leaders call for Prince George’s school boss to leave by June 30," 10 May 2018
He was flanked by Philip Nitschke, the director of Exit International; and Moritz Gall, a representative for Lifecircle, an association that supports people going through major life decisions and guides them through the laws of Switzerland.

— New York Times, "David Goodall, 104, Scientist Who Fought to Die on His Terms, Ends His Life," 10 May 2018
She was flanked in the royal box by Charles, heir to the throne, and Prince William, next in the line of succession.

— gregory katz, The Seattle Times, "Thousands sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Queen Elizabeth II," 21 Apr. 2018
As Bush’s casket lay in St. Martins Episcopal Church in Texas, she was consistently flanked by agents who were among the members of her personal detail, local outlet KTRK reported.

— elizabeth zwirz, Fox News, "Former first lady Barbara Bush guarded by Secret Service after death, report says," 21 Apr. 2018
In a recent interview at his former lawyer’s office near the Capitol, he was flanked by two former female supervisors, including Yue, who support his version of events.

— marjie lundstrom, sacbee, "Giving gropers a break? How California state workers stay employed after big payouts | The Sacramento Bee," 19 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of flank

see ¹flank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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