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)
Synonyms
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
Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Pacing in a state of agitation, its flanks heave with every breath and its mouth drips with saliva.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024
Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Another Buffett buddy, James Taylor, eulogized the irreplaceable musician, who died in September 2023, and then moved to the performance stage, flanked by Kenny Chesney and renowned session guitarist/producer Mac McAnally, also a longtime member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flank 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Many Israelis interpreted the cabinet vote as Netanyahu deciding to destroy the possibility of a deal, indicating his preference for continued war in Gaza as a way to maintain the support of the government’s far-right flank.
—Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Pacing in a state of agitation, its flanks heave with every breath and its mouth drips with saliva.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
To optimize the duo's playmaking capabilities, the franchise clearly decided to flank them with shooters, as to provide them with a ton of space.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Another Buffett buddy, James Taylor, eulogized the irreplaceable musician, who died in September 2023, and then moved to the performance stage, flanked by Kenny Chesney and renowned session guitarist/producer Mac McAnally, also a longtime member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flank
Dictionary Entries Near flank
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flank. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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