flank

1 of 2

noun

ˈflaŋk 

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

flank

2 of 2

verb

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

a design that flanks the door with windows

2

: to protect a flank of

3

: to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)

Synonyms of flank

Noun

• side

Verb

• join
• adjoin
• surround
• touch
• neighbor

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

Turning to the security situation in Europe, Rinkēvičs said Latvia does not currently see evidence of an imminent Russian military invasion, despite growing concerns about Moscow's intentions toward NATO's eastern flank. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Earlier this month, a Russian drone hit a train near Ukraine’s border with Poland as a group of former Western officials traveled out of the country, and NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank remain on high alert. — Adrienne Vogt, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

Her performance tonight, drenched in red and flanked by violins, was a testament to the timeless appeal of her voice. — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Eight Zoom boxes, each occupied by lawyers for Paramount or California, flanked the judge on the screen. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing flank

• flank steak

Rhymes for flank

• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank
• dank
• drank
• franc
• hank
• lank
• plank
• prank

Kids Definition

flank

1 of 2 noun

ˈflaŋk 

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

2

a

: side entry 1 sense 2

b

: the right or left of a military formation

flank

2 of 2 verb

1

: 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

ˈflaŋk 

: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip

broadly : the side of a quadruped