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

Then, when Forest were defending deeper in their own half, Dominguez dropped to form a situational back five to prevent Villa from overloading the left flank. —Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025

Pulling out along the expanse of Beauly Firth’s southern flank, the winding line then dances around several lochs on its way into the Highlands. —James March, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025

Verb

Among the other notable features: the chest is flanked with dogwood petals — the North Carolina state flower — and the No. 4 printed on the front and back is for Charlotte’s first area code of 704. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025

He was flanked by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Banking committee, Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), who heads the Senate Agriculture Committee. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025

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