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)
Synonyms
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
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
With Marcos Alonso also often sidelined with his own knocks, the development has seen Xavi have to deploy right back Joao Cancelo on the opposite flank.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Johnson then faced similar pressure from his right flank to extract more policy wins from Democrats.
—USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
And Johnson is bucking the House’s rules to enable a quick-fire vote, further enraging the House Freedom Caucus on the right flank of the GOP conference, which is already raising the alarm over spending levels.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Soon after that decision, Pao lost the support of both flanks.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Even a surprise proposal from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to oust Johnson introduced Friday was met with refusal from some of her peers, indicating there’s not much appetite for further chaos from the right flank of the conference.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
As Russia’s campaign in Ukraine moves into its third year, NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank have increasingly raised the potential of a direct threat to the West.
—Milda Seputyte, Bloomberg.com, 7 Mar. 2024
Attacking wise, Dalot’s ability to deliver pinpoint crosses and provide incisive passes from the flanks has been instrumental in unlocking opposition defences.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Clark smiled brightly in the photo, with unidentified boys flanking her on either side, making silly faces.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Hampton prepared the throne to receive Jesus, flanked by a dozen angels, at the time of the Second Coming.
—Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Hours after flying in from a successful visit to the US where his senior side defeated Venezuela and Ecuador in two friendly matches, the 65-year-old rushed to the Ferrara’s Stadio Paolo Mazza to flank Under-21 coach Carmine Nunziata for the Azzurrini’s important match with Turkey.
—David Ferrini, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Our first night is dinner at a long table out in their humble, paved courtyard flanked on all sides by apartments.
—Rob Ledonne, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
Above Pulido was Willy Agada, flanked on the wings by Daniel Salloi and Erik Thommy, who started on the right for Johnny Russell.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024
And Bowser and Leonsis were flanked by numerous members of the council at a news conference Wednesday evening announcing the deal.
—Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
For much of its life, the monument has been flanked by four large Confederate flags.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
Temescal’s Clove and Hoof was originally a butcher shop selling Wagyu flank and housemade sausages – focusing on whole animals that are raised sustainably – with fridges overflowing with housemade sauces and rich stocks.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
With Marcos Alonso also often sidelined with his own knocks, the development has seen Xavi have to deploy right back Joao Cancelo on the opposite flank.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Johnson then faced similar pressure from his right flank to extract more policy wins from Democrats.
—USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
And Johnson is bucking the House’s rules to enable a quick-fire vote, further enraging the House Freedom Caucus on the right flank of the GOP conference, which is already raising the alarm over spending levels.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Soon after that decision, Pao lost the support of both flanks.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Even a surprise proposal from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to oust Johnson introduced Friday was met with refusal from some of her peers, indicating there’s not much appetite for further chaos from the right flank of the conference.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
As Russia’s campaign in Ukraine moves into its third year, NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank have increasingly raised the potential of a direct threat to the West.
—Milda Seputyte, Bloomberg.com, 7 Mar. 2024
Attacking wise, Dalot’s ability to deliver pinpoint crosses and provide incisive passes from the flanks has been instrumental in unlocking opposition defences.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Verb
The dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is flanked by some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Clark smiled brightly in the photo, with unidentified boys flanking her on either side, making silly faces.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Hampton prepared the throne to receive Jesus, flanked by a dozen angels, at the time of the Second Coming.
—Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Hours after flying in from a successful visit to the US where his senior side defeated Venezuela and Ecuador in two friendly matches, the 65-year-old rushed to the Ferrara’s Stadio Paolo Mazza to flank Under-21 coach Carmine Nunziata for the Azzurrini’s important match with Turkey.
—David Ferrini, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Our first night is dinner at a long table out in their humble, paved courtyard flanked on all sides by apartments.
—Rob Ledonne, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
Above Pulido was Willy Agada, flanked on the wings by Daniel Salloi and Erik Thommy, who started on the right for Johnny Russell.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024
And Bowser and Leonsis were flanked by numerous members of the council at a news conference Wednesday evening announcing the deal.
—Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
For much of its life, the monument has been flanked by four large Confederate flags.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of flank was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing flank
Dictionary Entries Near flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on flank
Nglish: Translation of flank for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flank for Arabic Speakers
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