flanker

American  

[flang-ker] / ˈflæŋ kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that flanks.

2. Military. one of a body of soldiers placed on the flank of an army to guard a line of march.

3. Fortification. a fortification projecting so as to defend another work or to command the flank of an assailing body.

4. Football.

   1. Also called flankerback.  an offensive back who lines up outside of an end.

   2. split end.

---

flanker British  

/ ˈflæŋkə /

noun

1. one of a detachment of soldiers detailed to guard the flanks, esp of a formation

2. a projecting fortification, used esp to protect or threaten a flank

3. rugby a wing forward

---

Etymology

Origin of flanker

First recorded in 1540–50; flank + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Mitchell said to BBC Sport when asked about the 115-cap flanker, who led her country to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Kabeya's absence gives Bristol teenager Demelza Short, who made her Test debut in the second row against Scotland, a start at blindside flanker.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

After an emotional performance on Saturday evening, the British and Irish Lions flanker posted a tribute the following afternoon on social media.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

His first three benches have had a 5-3 split before he switched to 6-2 against France, a day when Rory Darge, the brilliant flanker, ended up playing centre alongside the inspirational captain, Sione Tuipulotu.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

The Cowboys came right back, moving fifty-eight yards in a minute to tie the score, the touchdown coming on a seventeen- yard pass from quarterback Robert Hall to flanker Marcus Grant.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger