flank
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.
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.
to occupy a position at the flank or side.
to present the flank or side.
Origin of flank
1Other words for flank
Other words from flank
- un·flank, verb (used with object)
- well-flanked, adjective
Words Nearby flank
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 NewsWith 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 PostA 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 PostIn 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.
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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThen came accusations of centrism—now a dirty word in a party with an energized left flank.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTPresident 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 | THE DAILY BEASTDone, says he, why let fifty of our men advance, and flank them on each wing.
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-PattisonHe usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneThen came the turn of the Manchesters, left in the lurch, with their right flank hanging in the air.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonIt 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
/ (flæŋk) /
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
(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)
Origin of flank
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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