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

As the rank and file busy themselves with AI helpers, the c-suite is lining its own pockets. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026

What does removing someone like him do to the officer ranks and to the rank and file overall? — CBS News, 5 Apr. 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

Do members of the rank and file attend union meetings, defend the contract by filing grievances when needed, and support each other while on the job? — John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Rhymes for the rank and file

• epicondyle
• geotextile
• nucleophile
• aisle
• bile
• chyle
• guile
• heil
• isle
• kyle
• mile
• pile