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

Luna said Friday that the agreement Democrats initially made with Johnson's team came about in a closed-door meeting that did not include rank and file Republicans. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

There has been friction between the incoming rank and file DOGE staff and Ramaswamy, the sources said, and Ramaswamy has been subtly encouraged to exit. —Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025

Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file. —Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025

All day, rank and file Republicans — and even committee chairs — grumbled about the process -- and the policy. —Hans Nichols, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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