Meaning & use

phalanx

noun·Advanced

A tight, organized formation of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder with overlapping shields or spears.

See it in a sentence

The Greek phalanx advanced slowly, spears pointed outward in a solid wall.

A phalanx of reporters blocked the entrance, shouting questions at the senator.

A note on using this word

Beyond its military origin, "phalanx" is often used figuratively for any tightly packed group acting together, such as a phalanx of lawyers.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

Any of the small bones that make up the fingers or toes.

The X-ray showed a fracture in the phalanx of her index finger.

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