Flak definition

flăk

Flak is defined as the bursting shells shot at aircraft from enemy guns on the ground, or criticism or opposition.

An example of flak is the exploding ammunition that can damage a military plane when flying over enemy territory.

An example of flak is what a CEO gets when he makes a controversial statement to the media.

noun

Antiaircraft artillery.

noun

The bursting shells fired from such artillery.

noun

Excessive or abusive criticism.

noun

The fire of antiaircraft guns.

noun

Dissension; opposition.

noun

(informal) Strong, clamorous criticism, opposition, etc.

noun

Ground-based anti-aircraft guns firing explosive shells.

noun

Anti-aircraft shell fire.

noun

(figuratively, informal) Adverse criticism.

noun

(informal) A public-relations spokesperson.

noun

Origin of flak

German from Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone) aircraft-defense gun

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
German acronym of Fliegerabwehrkanone (“aeroplane defence cannon”). First attested 1938 as “antiaircraft gun”, 1940 as “antiaircraft fire”. Sense of “adverse criticism” attested since 1963 in American English.

From Wiktionary