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)
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
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Diagonal passes to onrushing full-backs has proven to be another effective route around the high defensive line, as Inter targeted Denzel Dumfries with 14 long balls out to his flank across the two-legged Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona last season.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
But other times, the ability to sprint away from two flanking Hunters on Heroic mode is a welcome reprieve from watching Master Chief get ragdolled across a map over and over again.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Sheila Smith, a senior fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told last week that Takaichi may be seeking to preempt an attack from the right flank by the populist Sanseito Party, which has gained momentum in parliament.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Diagonal passes to onrushing full-backs has proven to be another effective route around the high defensive line, as Inter targeted Denzel Dumfries with 14 long balls out to his flank across the two-legged Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona last season.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The lagoon-style pools scattered throughout the resort, flanked by comfortable chairs and cabanas, offered enough space from fellow guests.
—Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
But other times, the ability to sprint away from two flanking Hunters on Heroic mode is a welcome reprieve from watching Master Chief get ragdolled across a map over and over again.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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