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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of flanker

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

Example Sentences

Hooker Dan Sheehan and flanker Josh van der Flier also return to the pack as Ronan Kelleher and Nick Timoney drop to the bench.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

An injury to flanker Tom Curry forced England to make further changes to a line-up that had already been radically rejigged.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

He replaces Matt Fagerson at number eight, with Fagerson switching to blindside flanker.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

"There's probably a million things you can point to after a game -- and especially after a loss," said England flanker Underhill.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 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