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rank and file

noun

Definition of rank and file

1 : the enlisted personnel of an armed force
2 : the individuals who constitute the body of an organization, society, or nation as distinguished from the leaders
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Other Words from rank and file

rank-and-file \ ËŒraÅ‹k-​ᵊn-​ˈfÄ«(-​É™)l How to pronounce rank-and-file (audio) \ adjective
rank and filer \ ËŒraÅ‹k-​ᵊn-​ˈfÄ«-​lÉ™r How to pronounce rank and filer (audio) \ noun

Examples of rank and file in a Sentence

the chosen few might have the opportunity for a trip in the space shuttle, but it will be a while before the rank and file are taking space trips

Recent Examples on the Web

 But confronted with splintering unity in the Democratic rank and file and intractable opposition from McConnell, Pelosi changed course. — Anchorage Daily News, "House sends Trump $4.6B border bill, yielding to Senate," 27 June 2019 But confronted with splintering unity in the Democratic rank and file and intractable opposition from McConnell, Pelosi changed course. — Andrew Taylor, chicagotribune.com, "House sends Trump $4.6 billion border bill, yielding to Senate plan and dealing blow to progressive wing," 27 June 2019 As the most visible manifestation of an otherwise stonewalling government, the rank and file bear the brunt of protesters’ rage against the authorities. — Laignee Barron / Hong Kong, Time, "Suspected 'Triad' Gangs Mark Dangerous New Phase in Hong Kong's Crisis," 23 July 2019 In fact, Americans may have grown accustomed to the idea that C-suite executives would take home tens of millions of dollars a year, while the rank and file see their wages rise by a few percent. — Lydia Depillis, CNN, "Abigail Disney has a point. Paying more to rank-and-file workers can be good for business," 17 July 2019 But the rank and file didn’t seem to care — the vast majority of Republican voters supported Trump anyway. — Larry Bartels, Washington Post, "How Paul Ryan lost the Republican Party," 15 Apr. 2018 But confronted with splintering unity in the Democratic rank and file and intractable opposition from McConnell, Pelosi changed course. — Anchorage Daily News, "House sends Trump $4.6B border bill, yielding to Senate," 27 June 2019 Apparently only the African rank and file are so helpless as to require the tender mercies of the World Bank’s notorious grandees. — William Easterly, WSJ, "‘The Levelling’ Review: Masters Versus the Masses," 17 June 2019 Boards could do more to broaden ownership to the rank and file. — The Economist, "Blue-collar capitalists," 8 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rank and file.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rank and file

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for rank and file

rank and file

noun

Legal Definition of rank and file

: the general membership of a union

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More from Merriam-Webster on rank and file

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rank and file

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rank and file

Spanish Central: Translation of rank and file

Nglish: Translation of rank and file for Spanish Speakers

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