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
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
By Alastair Bland, CalMatters Near the southern flank of Mount Shasta, springs and snowmelt converge to form the McCloud River.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The historic landmark sits on 10th St. NW in The District, and it’s flanked by new, pretty buildings up and down the avenue.
—Mac Engel
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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
The unit, which will be fully operational by 2027, is stationed in Lithuania along NATO's eastern flank.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
By Alastair Bland, CalMatters Near the southern flank of Mount Shasta, springs and snowmelt converge to form the McCloud River.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Verb
His arrival into Saudi airspace was flanked by an escort of F-15 fighter jets, landing at the King Khalid International Airport Royal Terminal to an awaiting lavender carpet lined by riders on Arabian horses, guards in regalia and a live band.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The historic landmark sits on 10th St. NW in The District, and it’s flanked by new, pretty buildings up and down the avenue.
—Mac Engel
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 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 19 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share