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
Within the Democrats' own rank and file, there's a slight tilt toward a progressive candidate over a moderate.
—
Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
But as the tables turned quickly on Thursday afternoon, many rank and file staffers expressed regret that the studio would not be hitched to the industry’s dominant subscription streaming platform but rather to a smaller, struggling rival legacy media conglomerate.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But the motivation among the industry’s rank and file, irrespective of their place of work, does not seem to be primarily financial.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Historically, much of Silicon Valley's rank and file have been politically to the left of their leaders and quick to protest.
—Joseph Menn The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
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Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
But as the tables turned quickly on Thursday afternoon, many rank and file staffers expressed regret that the studio would not be hitched to the industry’s dominant subscription streaming platform but rather to a smaller, struggling rival legacy media conglomerate.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But the motivation among the industry’s rank and file, irrespective of their place of work, does not seem to be primarily financial.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Historically, much of Silicon Valley's rank and file have been politically to the left of their leaders and quick to protest.
—Joseph Menn The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026
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 10 Mar. 2026.
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