Flank Meaning, Definition, and Synonyms

Flank usually means the side of something. In military writing, it refers to the side of a formation or position. It can also mean the side of an animal or person, or the cut of meat taken from that area.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /flæŋk/

Easy pronunciation: FLANK (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, stressed on the only syllable.

Noun meaning the side of a military or naval formation.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Flank Meaning

the side of an army, fleet, or battle line

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the side of a military or naval formation

Example: The troops moved to attack the enemy's right flank.

Synonyms for this meaning:

wing — A standard synonym in military use for the side of a formation.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Flank

Meaning 2

meat cut from the side of an animal

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a cut from the fleshy part of an animal's side between the ribs and the leg

Example: We marinated a flank steak for dinner.

Meaning 3

a side part of something

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a subfigure consisting of a side of something

Example: The diagram shows each flank of the mountain.

Meaning 4

to be on the side of something

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be located at the sides of something or somebody

Example: Tall trees flank the entrance to the house.

Meaning 5

the side of the body between the ribs and the hip

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the side between ribs and hipbone

Example: He felt a sharp pain in his left flank.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Flank Synonyms

Similar Meaning

wing

meat cut from the side of an animal

flank steak

side of a body or object

side

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse flank with the similar-sounding word 'blank'.
In food contexts, flank often refers to a cut of meat, not the side of a military formation.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does flank mean?

Flank most often means the side of a military formation, but it can also refer to the side of an animal or person, or the cut of meat from that area.

What is a synonym for flank?

In military use, a good synonym is wing. For other senses, there usually is not a direct one-word synonym.

Is flank a noun or a verb?

It can be both. As a noun, it means a side or side section. As a verb, it means to be positioned at the sides of something.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.