Noun She gently patted the horse's flank. They attacked the enemy on both flanks. the eastern flank of a volcano Verb the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Rising pulled a goal back immediately when Santi Moar created space for substitute Ryan Flood on the left flank. Partner Content, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022 Esther Gonzalez had capitalized on the Spanish dominance to grab a 1-0 lead and, down the left flank, in particular, the Lionesses were looking exposed. Zak Garner-purkis, Forbes, 31 July 2022 McCarty, meanwhile, had been streaking down the left flank and was behind the Avs’ defense.Detroit Free Press, 26 June 2022 Two buttons on the left flank of the case move the local hour hand forward or backward in one-hour increments. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 June 2022 Just when Barcelona looked in charge, Lyon scored again after Selma Bacha worked her way down the left flank and crossed in for the unmarked Hegerberg to head in for her 59th goal in 60 league matches. Daniella Matar, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2022 Since then, Cuellar has emerged as a vocal adversary of leading progressives and has accused the party's left flank of alienating voters in South Texas. Gregory Krieg, CNN, 14 Feb. 2022 The party's left flank should keep staring down the Suicide Squad and force them to be team players. Ryan Cooper, The Week, 24 Aug. 2021 England struggled from the start with Spain’s smart passing and tough tackling, while winger Del Castillo was a force on the right flank after coming on at halftime. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 26 July 2022
Verb
Some local leaders, Republicans like Hogan, joined the governor to cheerlead moving forward with the project, which is a top priority of some counties that flank the bridge. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 For a huge dose of restorative nature, head to the diverse array of national parks that flank the St. Lawrence River.Outside Online, 8 June 2022 Or, for a more budget-friendly option, install floating shelves above your commode, and flank it with vertical storage cubes. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 Displays of the nonprofit’s quirkier acquisitions flank the rows of furniture: antique typewriters and sewing machines, ornate chandeliers and a white fiberglass reproduction of the Statue of Liberty. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Tall narrow windows flank the stainless-steel range and hood in the center island kitchen. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 The Sequoia's comfortable front seats flank an extra-wide center console with plenty of storage cubbies. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 8 June 2022 Two harlequins flank the theater, while the building’s rear is decorated with a dazzling row of movie-character types, including a matador, a hula girl and a flamenco dancer.New York Times, 20 May 2022 Around town, pipeline pumping stations jut up from shopping-center parking lots, steam from petrochemical plants hisses along highways, and refineries flank both sides of main roads, their ductwork forming tunnels over traffic.Wired, 29 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a