flank

1 of 2

noun

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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Impressing after a miserable spell in the Premier League, the Brazilian winger may well find kinship on the opposing flank Saturday. Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Delhi is motivated by revisiting historical connections with Afghanistan, securing potential economic and trade access to Central Asia, and establishing a friendly presence on Pakistan’s western flank with potential strategic benefits. Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Use it as a piece of tabletop decor or flank your front door with a collection of faux pumpkins and gourds to create an inviting entryway. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Athletes will sit on the fields in a dedicated space flanking the protocol stage. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flank

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

flank

1 of 2 noun
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
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
: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip
broadly : the side of a quadruped

More from Merriam-Webster on flank

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