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
Synonyms
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
Interim Chief Dominic Choi said the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union for the LAPD’s rank and file, has signaled its support for binding arbitration and allowing the chief the authority to fire officers outright for misconduct.
—
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
As spring gave way to the summer of 2023, many in Alexa’s rank and file remained in the dark about how the digital assistant would meet the generative AI moment.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 June 2024
The two contracts — one representing rank and file police officers and sergeants while the other representing captains and lieutenants — were approved on a 22-3 and 23-2 majority respectively.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 26 Apr. 2024
This means that the army rank and file tend to be more mature, and many fighters have families to return to and know what’s at stake.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file 
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
As spring gave way to the summer of 2023, many in Alexa’s rank and file remained in the dark about how the digital assistant would meet the generative AI moment.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 June 2024
The two contracts — one representing rank and file police officers and sergeants while the other representing captains and lieutenants — were approved on a 22-3 and 23-2 majority respectively.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 26 Apr. 2024
This means that the army rank and file tend to be more mature, and many fighters have families to return to and know what’s at stake.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rank and file.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 26 Jun. 2024.
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