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 backlash weighed heavily on the minds of the rank and file at Cloudflare.
—
Steven Johnson, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2018
There is a feeling of overall confidence among the rank and file about Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as secretary of state, sources told CBS News.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
That’s important because unearned income tends to represent a greater share of total income for the wealthy compared with the rank and file.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
What to watch: If layoffs do happen, then clearly this wasn't good for the rank and file, says Lee Adler, a lecturer at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the rank and file 
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Steven Johnson, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2018
There is a feeling of overall confidence among the rank and file about Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as secretary of state, sources told CBS News.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
That’s important because unearned income tends to represent a greater share of total income for the wealthy compared with the rank and file.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
What to watch: If layoffs do happen, then clearly this wasn't good for the rank and file, says Lee Adler, a lecturer at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the rank and file
Dictionary Entries Near 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 19 Feb. 2025.
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