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
Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
To accommodate neighbors; desire for a xx-foot setback, Shulman’s design shaves off the tower’s north flank.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2025
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
The prosecutors’ claims come after Mangione’s lawyers have accused law enforcement of playing to the television cameras with Mangione’s dramatic perp walk off a helicopter and onto a Manhattan pier, flanked by heavily armed law enforcement personnel with New York Mayor Eric Adams trailing behind.
—Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
Doku is a unique player in an unusual situation; a tireless, free spirit striving to find escape routes down the flanks in a heavily structured and — this season, at least — easily frustrateable side.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
To accommodate neighbors; desire for a xx-foot setback, Shulman’s design shaves off the tower’s north flank.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
He’s set to remain in center flanked by Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, and the Red Sox should have one of the stronger defensive outfields in the game once again.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
The prosecutors’ claims come after Mangione’s lawyers have accused law enforcement of playing to the television cameras with Mangione’s dramatic perp walk off a helicopter and onto a Manhattan pier, flanked by heavily armed law enforcement personnel with New York Mayor Eric Adams trailing behind.
—Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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
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