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

ˌraŋk-ᵊn-ˈfī(-ə)l 

adjective

rank and filer

ˌraŋk-ᵊn-ˈfī-lər 

noun

Synonyms

• commoners
• commons
• crowd
• herd
• hoi polloi
• mass
• millions
• mob
• multitude
• people
• plebeians
• plebs
• populace
• public

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

Gingrich relished partisan warfare, demanded loyalty from his rank and file, and turned district elections into contests between the national parties. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

Before a small crowd of Gallo’s rank and file officers, Fisk placed the commish’s melon between his meaty palms, squeeeeeeezed…. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025

White House spokesman Kush Desai indicated that Fain’s praise puts him in league with his union’s rank and file. —Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025

The abrupt move to shutter VOA has shocked its rank and file, but signs of massive change at the agency have been evident for weeks. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rank and file

• campanile
• chrysotile
• domicil
• domicile
• mercantile
• neuropil
• nonpareil
• percentile
• peristyle
• reconcile
• thermopile
• aisle

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