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
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have been meeting with committee and caucus chairs to screen for proposals that have strong buy-in from the rank and file.
—
Kevin Freking, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have been meeting with committee and caucus chairs to screen for proposals that have strong buy-in from the rank and file.
—Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
So the rank and file—those men and women in uniform who are carrying out the air strikes, who are conducting the operations—they’re doing a remarkable job.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Despite the industry’s fixation on Zaslav’s big payday, the spoils from the sale will spread through the rank and file.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the rank and file
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Kevin Freking, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have been meeting with committee and caucus chairs to screen for proposals that have strong buy-in from the rank and file.
—Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
So the rank and file—those men and women in uniform who are carrying out the air strikes, who are conducting the operations—they’re doing a remarkable job.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Despite the industry’s fixation on Zaslav’s big payday, the spoils from the sale will spread through the rank and file.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 4 Jun. 2026.
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