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
The Conference Board, a nonprofit corporate research consultancy, has found that diversity programs aimed at managers and the rank and file enhance corporate fortunes.
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
The reasons for Bukele’s alleged protection of the gang leadership versus his relentless pursuit of the rank and file are the subject of speculation in both the United States and El Salvador.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 June 2025
Other Societal Outcomes Besides a trend toward human-AI romances, L also goes into some of how the rank and file may react to these changes.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Pelosi gets higher marks from the rank and file in her party, compared to the ratings McConnell gets from his party.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2019
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
The reasons for Bukele’s alleged protection of the gang leadership versus his relentless pursuit of the rank and file are the subject of speculation in both the United States and El Salvador.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 June 2025
Other Societal Outcomes Besides a trend toward human-AI romances, L also goes into some of how the rank and file may react to these changes.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Pelosi gets higher marks from the rank and file in her party, compared to the ratings McConnell gets from his party.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2019
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 Jul. 2025.
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