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

Some plastic surgery eventually followed, including a breast augmentation after her first pregnancy, as well as liposuction on her tummy and flanks after her third, the 38-year- old reveals. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

Martin Necas shifted over to the right flank, with Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen in the middle. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025

Verb

The regal emblem shows William's badge on the left and Kate's badge on the right, flanked by the Supporters of the Royal Lion and Unicorn, and the new elements are all about William's position as the Prince of Wales. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

The Avenue Montaigne flagship showcases all product categories spread across a series of spacious rectangular and circular salons, its three levels connected via two dramatic spiral staircases in dark wood flanking the back part of the store. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025

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