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
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Robles had flown to Lithuania for a meeting with her counterpart there, Dovilė Šakalienė, and to visit the Spanish Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment, part of the forces defending NATO's eastern flank, at the Siauliai Air Base.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The lower 48 states were flanked to the west with wildfires and drought, and to the east with growing concerns about impacts from looming hurricanes and tropical storms.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
After all, some of what Lekkerimäki brings — especially his work as a right-handed flank shooting threat in stationary attacking situations — is otherwise lacking in the Vancouver lineup.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Robles had flown to Lithuania for a meeting with her counterpart there, Dovilė Šakalienė, and to visit the Spanish Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment, part of the forces defending NATO's eastern flank, at the Siauliai Air Base.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The home spotlights graceful archways, interior Juliet balconies overlooking the living room and a round formal dining table flanked by French doors.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The lower 48 states were flanked to the west with wildfires and drought, and to the east with growing concerns about impacts from looming hurricanes and tropical storms.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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