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
Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The Col de la Loze at 2,304m is the highest point of the 2025 Tour, and for the first time, riders will climb up the eastern flank to Courchevel.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Rana Good, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Some bring up the fact that he's flanked by an elite wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flank
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Noun
The ascent of these candidates suggests the Democratic Party is grappling with the growing power of its left flank.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The Col de la Loze at 2,304m is the highest point of the 2025 Tour, and for the first time, riders will climb up the eastern flank to Courchevel.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
The bar is flanked by their in-house genever distillery, a nod to the Netherlands’ rich distilling heritage.
—Rana Good, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Some bring up the fact that he's flanked by an elite wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 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 29 Jul. 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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