rank and file

noun

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
rank-and-file adjective
rank and filer 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Speaker Johnson is facing a major test in his effort to rally his rank and file. 3:23 House Republican leaders plan to move forward with a vote on the budget plan Tuesday night despite opposition from at least four Republicans, leaning on President Donald Trump to help convince the holdouts. John Parkinson, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025 That set of three weeks of chaos when several top GOP leaders failed to secure enough support to get the gavel until Johnson, then a rank and file conservative member of the House Judiciary panel, was nominated with unanimous support. Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 3 Jan. 2025 Berkeley is struggling to retain city workers, both rank and file and key top administrators. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 Luna said Friday that the agreement Democrats initially made with Johnson's team came about in a closed-door meeting that did not include rank and file Republicans. Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rank and file

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rank and file was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

rank and file

noun
1
: the enlisted persons of one of the armed forces
2
: the ordinary members that make up the body of a group when considered apart from the leaders

Legal Definition

rank and file

noun
: the general membership of a union

More from Merriam-Webster on rank and file

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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