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

See Examples For:

flanker

After Savea doubled New Zealand's advantage, Jacobson was sin-binned when his shoulder caught Van der Flier's head at a ruck, with the Chiefs flanker fortunate to avoid a 20-minute red following a review.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Fiji managed tries from flanker Pita Gus Sowakula, number eight Elia Canakaivata and wing Selestino Ravutaumada, with fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicking nine points.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

It has been an incredible rise for Henry Pollock, the 21-year-old flanker who won player of the match.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

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

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