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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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

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

How to use flank in a sentence

However, those conditions were unclear, and in all likelihood he will remain in Swansea and provide depth on the flanks.
D.C. United loans Paul Arriola to Swansea City|Steven Goff|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Sliced flank steak sponges the heat of the curry paste in which it’s stir-fried, along with eggplant and such tropical enhancers as lemongrass and lime leaves.
Tom Sietsema’s 8 favorite places to eat right now|Tom Sietsema|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
In mid- to late February—if you’re lucky and the snowpack delivers—you’ll catch Horsetail Fall, which flows over the eastern flank of El Capitan only during heavy winters.
Your 2021 National Park Calendar|Megan Michelson|January 25, 2021|Outside Online
It’s 2021, and there were Megan Rapinoe, 35, starting on the left flank and Carli Lloyd, 38, starting at striker.
U.S. women’s national team displays young and old in 4-0 rout of Colombia|Steven Goff|January 19, 2021|Washington Post

The display now showed a cluster of bright pink and green polygons creeping over the east flank of the Sierras, near the town of Big Creek.
What the complex math of fire modeling tells us about the future of California’s forests|Amy Nordrum|January 18, 2021|MIT Technology Review
He speaks in a whisper, flanked by the two locals who set up the meeting.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the scanning takes place, KSM is led down a long corridor flanked by chain-link fences.
9/11 Mastermind Is Afraid of the Ladies|Tim Mak|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, took the stage, flanked by a woman holding a trophy and a medal.
James Franco Shot His New Movie at the Venice Film Festival and I Was in It|Marlow Stern|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her sons walked behind her, flanked by their father, the Prince; their grandfather, the Duke; and their uncle, the Earl.
The Day the Fairytale Died|Marilyn Johnson|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Technically the campus is a crime scene,” said Garcia, who was flanked by dozens of officers and college officials.
Another Campus Attack, This Time With a Knife|Christine Pelisek|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Above them ran the railway-line fifteen feet broad; above that, again, a cart-road of eighteen feet, flanked with footpaths.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
"Slap your saddles on them fresh hosses," he grated harshly from the back of a deep-chested, lean-flanked gray.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
It is an imposing church of red stone, the great entrance being flanked by low, square-topped towers.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
Flanked on each side by a policeman, I pass through winding corridors, and finally ascend to the private office of the Chief.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
And a very silent Sara Lee, flanked with pillow and blankets, who sat back alone and tried to recall the tones of Harvey's voice.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart

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 related to flank

How to use flank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flank

Word Origin for flank