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

For more than five decades, Tartus had hosted a naval supply and maintenance base for Moscow and, as its only Mediterranean fueling spot, enabled the Kremlin to project power on the southern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) near Africa. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

House Republican leadership has struggled in recent years to keep the conference united on key priorities, with a reliable group of detractors on its right flank. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

This means that protecting Inaki Pena's goal, Araujo partners up with Inigo Martinez as they are flanked by Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde to their left and right. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Here, the grand portals to the spa are flanked by two fine classical marble statues, one of an unnamed noblewoman and the other of Julius Caesar. —Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 14 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