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
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 June 2024
Trump may not feel the need to protect his right flank on immigration at all.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 June 2024
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
The real highlight, though, is watching Tatler play the solos at the end as Hetfield, bassist Robert Trujillo, and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett (who plays rhythm guitar for a change on the song) flank him on either side.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for flank 
Noun
Williams, a former state representative, has tried to realign the state GOP with the far-right flank of the national party.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 June 2024
Trump may not feel the need to protect his right flank on immigration at all.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 June 2024
Verb
Video from Roberts’ camera shows the officer walking up behind Caraway as other officers flank him.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
The real highlight, though, is watching Tatler play the solos at the end as Hetfield, bassist Robert Trujillo, and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett (who plays rhythm guitar for a change on the song) flank him on either side.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for flank
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.
Dictionary Entries Near flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share