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
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
Instead, the recent raids have affected rank and file workers, most of whom were detained suddenly and face deportation.
—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Guests still walked the red carpet to show off their tuxes and gowns, and the WHCA even added an additional step and repeat backdrop for the journalism rank and file to get their own Instagram shots.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez is among those who say that some of the money used for Hagerty would have been better spent bolstering the Emergency Management Department’s rank and file — as Parks had requested last year.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
My only recourse was appealing my case to the union’s rank and file.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
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Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Guests still walked the red carpet to show off their tuxes and gowns, and the WHCA even added an additional step and repeat backdrop for the journalism rank and file to get their own Instagram shots.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez is among those who say that some of the money used for Hagerty would have been better spent bolstering the Emergency Management Department’s rank and file — as Parks had requested last year.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
My only recourse was appealing my case to the union’s rank and file.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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