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
Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
That result, now followed by Sandu’s victory, has been cheered by European leaders who are loathe to see Russia’s influence re-assert itself and spread on their eastern flank.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Moreover, these dark spots are often flanked by bright streaks, a product of winds flowing over the storms and freezing out methane ice crystals that glint.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flank 
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Noun
When Buck resigned, the conservative cited a flank of the Republican Party’s hardheaded politics and unwavering devotion to Trump — traits that made Boebert a name brand.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
That result, now followed by Sandu’s victory, has been cheered by European leaders who are loathe to see Russia’s influence re-assert itself and spread on their eastern flank.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
There’s also a guesthouse, plus a three-car garage flanked by a spacious motor court.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Moreover, these dark spots are often flanked by bright streaks, a product of winds flowing over the storms and freezing out methane ice crystals that glint.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 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 26 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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