flank

[ flangk ]

/ flæŋk /

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See synonyms for: flank / flanked / flanking on Thesaurus.com

noun

the side of an animal or a person between the ribs and hip.

the thin piece of flesh constituting this part.

a slice of meat from the flank of an animal.

the side of anything, as of a building.

Military, Navy. the extreme right or left side of an army or fleet, or a subdivision of an army or fleet.

Fortification.

the right or left side of a work or fortification.
the part of a bastion that extends from the curtain to the face and protects the curtain and the opposite face.

Machinery. (on a screw thread or the like) either of the two vertical inclined surfaces between the crest and the root.

verb (used with object)

to stand or be placed or posted at the flank or side of.

to defend or guard at the flank.

Military. to menace or attack the flank of.

to pass around or turn the flank of.

verb (used without object)

to occupy a position at the flank or side.

to present the flank or side.

OTHER WORDS FOR flank

8 line, edge, skirt, border.

See synonyms for flank on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of flank

before 1100; Middle English; late Old English flanc<Old French <Frankish; compare Old High German hlanca loin

OTHER WORDS FROM flank

un·flank, verb (used with object)well-flanked, adjective

Words nearby flank

flâneur, flange, flange coupling, flanged rail, flangeway, flank, flanken, flanker, flank speed, flannel, flannelboard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT FLANK

What is a basic definition of flank?

A flank is space between the lowest rib and hip of an animal or person. To flank something means to stand at the side of something. In the military, a flank is a left or right side of an army or fleet of ships. Flank has several other senses as a noun and a verb.

The space on your torso between your lowest rib and your hip is called your flank. Animals like cows and horses also have sides referred to as flanks. If a slice of meat comes from this part of an animal’s body, it is a flank cut or flank steak.

Used in a sentence: The tree branch poked me in my left flank.

More generally, a flank is the side of anything.

Used in a sentence: The ball bounced off the left flank of the house.

In this sense, flank is used to mean to stand or be located at the side of something. A person or thing that flanks something is called a flanker.

Used in a sentence: Orange trees flanked both sides of the river.

Flank is used in a military sense to refer to the sides of an army. For example, if an army was lined up in rows of soldiers, the soldiers on either end of the rows would make up the army’s flank. An army’s flank is described with directional terms, such as left or right, or compass directions, that is, north, south, east, or west.

Used in a sentence: The left flank collapsed under the intense arrow fire.

Flank is used in a similar sense as a verb to mean to attack or harass an army’s flank.

Used in a sentence: The Roman soldiers charged out of the woods and managed to flank the Greek army.

Where does flank come from?

The first records of flank come from before the 1100s. It comes from the Old French flanc.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to flank?

flanker (noun)
unflank (verb)
well-flanked (adjective)

What are some synonyms for flank?

What are some words that share a root or word element with flank?

What are some words that often get used in discussing flank?

How is flank used in real life?

The word flank often means a side of something or a side cut of meat.

My air fryer is my favourite. Making some flank steak in it tonight for dinner

— Francesca ミ☆ (@frantopaz) January 27, 2021

Conor McGregor has arrived. He was flanked by his girlfriend Dee, who was pushing their son, Conor Jr., in a stroller. Great scene.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 27, 2017

Lightning reported on the SE flank of the SCU complex

— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) August 24, 2020

Try using flank!

Which of the following words would most likely be used to describe a flank?

A. top
B. bottom
C. side

How to use flank in a sentence

The toxins sink in to porous, easily detached hairs on the rat’s flanks.
Rats with poisonous hairdos live surprisingly sociable private lives|Susan Milius|January 12, 2021|Science News
With no limits atop the panels, Senate Democrats can languish in the middle flank of the dais for decades.
Sen. Durbin willing to give up subcommittee post as peace offering amid Democrats’ post-election infighting|Paul Kane, Seung Min Kim|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
A forward in her early years, O’Hara is also adept in an advanced position on the flanks.
Washington Spirit acquires USWNT’s Kelley O’Hara in trade with Utah Royals|Steven Goff|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
In many ways, the fight hasn’t been nearly what the left flank of the Democratic Party might have wanted — or what Kennedy’s GOP colleagues pretended it was.
Democrats’ non-persecution of Amy Coney Barrett|Aaron Blake|October 15, 2020|Washington Post

One day, they all had a picnic on the scrubby flank of a hill, under a brutal sun.
To Find Hope in American Cooking, James Beard Looked to the West Coast|John Birdsall|October 2, 2020|Eater
After two decades of dwindling influence, NATO is refreshed and energized by the growing threat on its eastern flank.
Did Vladimir Putin Just Save NATO?|Nico Hines|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Marinate flank steak in garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, oil, salt and pepper.
Epic Meal Empire’s Meat Monstrosities: From the Bacon Spider to the Cinnabattleship|Harley Morenstein|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then came accusations of centrism—now a dirty word in a party with an energized left flank.
How the Left Cut Down a Democratic Frontrunner|David Freedlander|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The enemy effected and exploited a breach on the left flank, rendering the friendly positions untenable.
Rocker Lenny Kravitz’s Namesake Receives Medal of Honor|Michael Daly|March 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
President Bush vetoed it, and Democrats relented in the face of outrage from their liberal flank.
Heckuva Job, Wacko Birds: You’ve Shut Down the U.S. Government|Kirsten Powers|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Done, says he, why let fifty of our men advance, and flank them on each wing.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
But one battalion was isolated on a spur, from which there seemed no way of escape save under a scorching flank fire.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
Then came the turn of the Manchesters, left in the lurch, with their right flank hanging in the air.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
It was a most difficult and dangerous operation, for at any moment the Archduke John might appear on the exposed right flank.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for flank

flank

/ (flæŋk) /

noun

the side of a man or animal between the ribs and the hip

(loosely) the outer part of the human thigh

a cut of beef from the flank

the side of anything, such as a mountain or building

the side of a naval or military formation

verb

(when intr, often foll by on or upon) to be located at the side of (an object, building, etc)

military to position or guard on or beside the flank of (a formation, etc)

military to move past or go round (a flank)

Word Origin for flank

C12: from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

flank

OTHER WORDS FOR flank

Origin of flank

OTHER WORDS FROM flank

Words nearby flank

MORE ABOUT FLANK

What is a basic definition of flank?

Where does flank come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is flank used in real life?

Try using flank!

Words related to flank

How to use flank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flank

Word Origin for flank