flanker

noun

flank·​er ˈflaŋ-kər How to pronounce flanker (audio)
: a football player stationed wide of the formation slightly behind the line of scrimmage as a pass receiver

called also flanker back

Examples of flanker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web San Diego flanker Christian Poidevin found a hole in the New England defense and scored the Legion’s first try just under the 10-minute mark. Staff Report, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2023 This should come in especially handy at mid range and when a flanker is harassing Lifeweaver in the back line. Kris Holt, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023 These maps are a flanker’s dream. Kris Holt, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 Last season, Lamb began the transition of playing more on the outside, whether it was lined up on the line of scrimmage or as the flanker, just a yard off. Dallas News, 28 May 2022 First-half drives of 78 and 64 yards ended in determined Richland touchdown efforts by Grant Peretz after taking a 10-yard flanker screen pass and Grant Crook on a spinning five-yard run for a 14-3 lead. Dallas News, 28 Oct. 2022 The Cowboys are counting on him to replace Cooper as their starting flanker and No. 1 wide receiver. Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2022 Cooper starts at flanker but is versatile, fluent at all receiver positions. Dallas News, 3 Mar. 2022 Texas prospect in the Class of 2025, contributed five catches for 114 yards for the Panthers including his first touchdown of the season on a 69-yard flanker screen. Dallas News, 14 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flanker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flanker was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near flanker

Cite this Entry

“Flanker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flanker. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

flanker

noun
flank·​er ˈflaŋ-kər How to pronounce flanker (audio)
1
: one that flanks
2
: a football player stationed wide of the formation especially as a pass receiver
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!