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

He joins Donohue in flanking the man as he disappears behind a partition and from camera view.
Synagogue Slay: When Cops Have to Kill|Michael Daly|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inside, the seats were gutted and replaced with benches flanking the walls.
On the Road With Kesey's (Drug-Free) Acid Test|Nina Strochlic|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He looped around in the grass, flanking the mine mouth, slow, quiet now, crouching a little.
The Ballad of Johnny France|Richard Ben Cramer|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Activities on stage got projected on giant screens flanking the dais, or on the jumbotron-like rig overhead.
Livni's Call To "Divorce" Palestinians|Ali Gharib|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In fact, the true tug only begins when we try to carry the second line and the flanking machine guns.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Passing the flanking line of mesas, Bill pushed his way up a watercourse between two foothills.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Flanking these are sacred figures, which are too small to be attractive at a greater distance than six yards.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
Once more we robbed the stone wall, building our two flanking paths of stepping-stones to the other side of the brook.
The Idyl of Twin Fires|Walter Prichard Eaton
A considerable effort at ornamentation has been made on the walls flanking the balcony described.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus

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