flank

1 of 2

noun

ˈflaŋk 

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)

Synonyms

Noun

• hand
• side

Verb

• abut
• adjoin
• border (on)
• butt (on or against)
• fringe
• join
• march (with)
• neighbor
• skirt
• touch
• verge (on)

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

Noun

Kidney stone pain migrates with the passage of the stone, gradually moving from the flank to the groin. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 1 Jan. 2025

At the very least, a wintry mix will occur on the northwestern flank of the storm from parts of Indiana to northern and western New York state and northern New England, AccuWeather said. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

Verb

Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, center, flanked by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter, at a campaign event on Sept. 29, 1984, Lovejoy, Georgia. —CBS News, 30 Dec. 2024

And with a plaza flanking both end zones, Evans says the stadium can easily flex from intimate gatherings to mega events, such as Super Bowls and the NCAA Final Four. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing flank

• flank steak

Kids Definition

flank

1 of 2 noun

ˈflaŋk 

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

a

: side entry 1 sense 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

ˈflaŋk 

: the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip

broadly : the side of a quadruped