# phalanx

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfeɪˌlæŋks/ · frequency rank #35,014

## Definitions
1. An ancient Greek and Macedonian military unit that consisted of several ranks and files (lines) of soldiers in close array with joined shields and long spears.
2. A Fourierite utopian community; a phalanstery.
3. A large group of people, animals or things, compact or closely massed, or tightly knit and united in common purpose.
4. One of the bones of the finger or toe.
5. A bundle of stamens, in diadelphous and polyadelphous flowers.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin phalanx or Ancient Greek φάλαγξ (phálanx, “battle order, array”). Doublet of phalange, planch, plancha, planche, and plank.

## Easily confused with
- **Phelan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phalanx-vs-phelan)

## Common misspellings (11)
`hpalanx`, `pahlanx`, `phaalnx`, `phalannx`, `phalanxx`, `phalaxn`, `phallanx`, `phalnax`, `phhalanx`, `phlaanx`, `pphalanx`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/phalanx