the rank and file
noun
1
: the people in the army, navy, air force, etc., who are not officers
2
: the members of a group or organization who are not leaders
The rank and file is/are unhappy with the chairman's decision.
Examples of the rank and file in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With very limited exceptions (i.e. very specific categories like flamenco or vallenato), the rank and file of voters should decide who final nominees are.
3.
—
Leila Cobo, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
However, by focusing only on the CEO (or other senior officers), the board might miss the chance to revisit how the rank and file are compensated.
—Bruce Shaw, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
Employees from that era say Dell became more connected than ever to his workforce, and even better about communication with the rank and file.
—Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Others might preemptively retire early—a dynamic that could spread throughout the officer corps and eventually even to the rank and file.
—Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
Current Indian Army personnel played all the rank and file soldier roles in the film, not extras.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Feb. 2024
In meetings at the Pentagon and at the White House, officials say that Mr. Austin demonstrates a command of military strategy and an understanding of the day-to-day issues of the rank and file.
—Helene Cooper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024
The back-to-back defeats highlighted the litany of problems Mr. Johnson inherited the day he was elected speaker and his inexperience in the position, roughly 100 days after being catapulted from the rank and file to the top job in the House.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
In the Police Department, the rank and file is hearing rumors of buyouts and demotions, but many see the mayor’s plan to shrink the department as a political tactic.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Leila Cobo, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
However, by focusing only on the CEO (or other senior officers), the board might miss the chance to revisit how the rank and file are compensated.
—Bruce Shaw, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
Employees from that era say Dell became more connected than ever to his workforce, and even better about communication with the rank and file.
—Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Others might preemptively retire early—a dynamic that could spread throughout the officer corps and eventually even to the rank and file.
—Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
Current Indian Army personnel played all the rank and file soldier roles in the film, not extras.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Feb. 2024
In meetings at the Pentagon and at the White House, officials say that Mr. Austin demonstrates a command of military strategy and an understanding of the day-to-day issues of the rank and file.
—Helene Cooper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024
The back-to-back defeats highlighted the litany of problems Mr. Johnson inherited the day he was elected speaker and his inexperience in the position, roughly 100 days after being catapulted from the rank and file to the top job in the House.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
In the Police Department, the rank and file is hearing rumors of buyouts and demotions, but many see the mayor’s plan to shrink the department as a political tactic.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the 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.
Dictionary Entries Near the rank and file
Cite this Entry
“The rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20rank%20and%20file. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share